When Lerato Moeli took a year off after finishing school, she was unsure of her life path. She knew she loved spending time in nature, constantly learning, and having the freedom to explore various fields. It was then that she discovered that agriculture could provide her with exactly that and more.
Today, she holds a bachelor's degree in crop production management and works as a junior technical manager at Zylem & RegenZ, specializing in soil health and regenerative agriculture.
Having grown up in Westville, Durban, Moeli was initially interested in sports. However, as things didn't go as planned, she did not establish a specific career path.
She notes: 'After high school, I took a gap year because I wanted to understand what I truly want to do in life. Ultimately, agriculture attracted my attention because it offered me the combination I was looking for: being outdoors, continuous learning, and the freedom to explore different places.'
Moeli's career in agriculture began after earning her bachelor's degree in crop production management from the University of Free State. Immediately after graduation, she decided to work on a farm as a general laborer.
She shares her experience: 'I had the qualification, and I understood the theory, but I had never worked on a commercial farm before. I didn't know what daily operations looked like. I could understand something from a textbook, but I couldn't say how it looked physically.'
Starting as a general employee opened up opportunities for her, allowing her to learn more practical aspects of farm operations, which helped her move beyond theoretical knowledge.
Moeli explains: 'So, working as a general laborer on a farm allowed me to build this foundation. I had to learn what the spacing between plants looked like, what harvesting involves, what a crop looks like two weeks after planting, what surface application of fertilizer looks like physically, and what farm operations actually entail. There is a big difference between knowing a term and actually performing the action.'
She also emphasizes the difference between what is taught in university and what she learned working in the field, despite having the relevant qualifications.
'For example, if I hadn't gone to university, I might not have understood what aphids are, why they are a problem, or how to control them. But when you are actually working on a farm, these concepts become real.'
Moeli mentions facing some initial difficulties working in the field and stresses the importance of admitting ignorance when assigned a task.
'Having qualifications can sometimes give the impression that you are ready for the industry, but agriculture quickly humbles you. You realize how much you don't know when you start working. That was one of the biggest lessons of my career: don't be afraid to admit that you don't know something.'
Another challenge for her was realizing that agriculture is not a universal solution for everyone. 'What works for one farmer or one soil may not work elsewhere. This forced me to become more open and listen to people with different experiences. I am learning every day from the people around me, including those who have been in this industry much longer than me.'
She spent two years trying to find her niche and what interested her in various roles on the farm. The opportunity to specialize in soil health and regenerative agriculture presented itself to her.
'I was fortunate to get an opportunity at Zylem and RegenZ, a soil health company focused on biological solutions, biostimulants, and regenerative agriculture practices. I immediately connected with the principles the company upholds, especially the focus on soil care and improving the health of the entire farming system.'
For her, it is important to understand the difference between regenerative agriculture and sustainable development. 'Sustainable development generally focuses on maintaining the system and ensuring we do not deplete resources. Regenerative agriculture goes further, focusing on restoring, improving, and building soil and broader ecosystem health over time.'
She continues: 'I am particularly interested in how we can improve soil health, reduce unnecessary intervention, better utilize cover crops, and understand soil biology while still producing viable crops.'
Moeli advises young agricultural graduates not to shy away from volunteering during university breaks to gain practical experience and develop communication skills. 'I also urge graduates to learn different languages and meet different people and communities. Agriculture is a people-driven industry, and communication is incredibly important.'
She concludes: 'And most importantly—never stop learning.'
