Melissa Haringwi Moyo (Class of 2025, Eswatini) a Mastercard Foundation Scholar at EARTH University, didn’t get involved in agriculture out of curiosity or personal interest, but out of a real and tangible need. There was a time in her life when her parents lost their jobs, and the family moved to the countryside where they began growing crops to survive. That was when she realized the importance of connecting with the land and understanding where food comes from. She learned then that agriculture was more than just planting and harvesting—it was the difference between having or not having food.
In this process she noticed that many farmers in her community lacked technical knowledge. Their crops were devastated by pests and diseases, yet, without financial resources or expertise, they accepted the losses with resignation. Something inside her ignited—she wanted to change that reality. That goal became a dream.
Even before her life changed and she found herself immersed in rural life, Melissa had already demonstrated a passion for science. She was fascinated by the “world of tiny things,” as she calls it, because she believed that within it, she could find solutions to enormous problems—like the pests ravaging her region and destroying entire harvests. Now in her fourth year at EARTH, she is close to graduating, and her academic journey has led her to explore entomology— the study of insects— genetics, and plant pathology—the science that studies plant diseases and their causes.
Melissa firmly believes that combining these three sciences in the agricultural sector could revolutionize food production. If crops can be genetically improved in a responsible and sustainable way, they will be more resistant to pests and diseases, ensuring safer and more abundant harvests.
Melissa is working alongside Akuak Achieng (Class of 2025, South Sudan), also a Mastercard Foundation Scholar at EARTH, on a Graduation Project aimed at tackling an environmental and economic issue: poultry waste. The two students are designing a hydroponic system where chicken waste is reused as liquid fertilizer to grow lettuce. By comparing the growth of crops using this fertilizer versus those watered only with water, they seek to prove that this alternative not only reduces pollution but also provides an accessible solution for farmers with fewer resources.
Today, her goal and dream remain intact. She is studying not just for herself but for her community, for the women who still believe they can’t aspire for more, and for the farmers who need the tools to improve their production.
“If something excites you, don’t let anything hold you back,” she tells those who dream of a different future for themselves. She knows that in Africa, as in many parts of the world, access to education is a challenge, especially for women. However, she insists that scholarships, support, and opportunities exist for those who seek them with determination. Her advice is clear: research and apply early for any opportunity, find motivation to push through difficult times, and most importantly, believe that anything is possible. If someone had told her four years ago that she would be studying at a global university on the other side of the world, no one would have believed it. “But I knew who I was and what I was capable of achieving,” she says.
Although agriculture and science remain male-dominated fields, Melissa has proven that determination can break any barrier. Her story is proof that, with effort and perseverance, even the biggest dreams can flourish.