Brazilian Scientist Mariangela Hungria Wins 2025 World Food Prize for Sustainable Farming Innovation

Brazilian microbiologist Mariangela Hungria has been awarded the prestigious 2025 World Food Prize for her groundbreaking research on biological nitrogen fixation, a natural process that enables crops to grow with fewer chemical fertilizers. Her work has played a pivotal role in boosting Brazil’s soybean production, making it the world’s largest producer. By promoting sustainable farming practices, Hungria’s achievements not only improve yields but also address environmental concerns linked to chemical fertilizer overuse.

Why in News?

Mariangela Hungria’s recognition with the World Food Prize comes at a time when global agriculture faces the dual challenges of meeting rising food demands while reducing harmful environmental impacts. Her innovative approach to reducing chemical fertilizer use by harnessing soil bacteria has gained renewed attention as countries seek sustainable farming solutions amid climate change and ecological degradation.

Aim and Objectives

• To reduce dependency on chemical nitrogen fertilizers in agriculture.
• To promote biological nitrogen fixation as a natural, eco-friendly alternative.
• To increase crop yields sustainably, especially in soybean farming.
• To improve soil health and reduce pollution caused by chemical fertilizers.

Background

• The World Food Prize, founded by Nobel laureate Norman Borlaug in 1987, honors individuals contributing significantly to global food security.
• Mariangela Hungria has researched biological seed and soil treatments for over 40 years.
• Her focus is on utilizing soil bacteria to naturally fix nitrogen and enhance plant growth.

Key Highlights and Contributions

• Developed methods to use soil bacteria for biological nitrogen fixation, reducing chemical fertilizer needs.
• Worked directly with Brazilian farmers to implement these techniques on a large scale.
• Brazil’s rise as the largest soybean producer globally is linked to her scientific contributions.
• Her work also impacts other crops like wheat, corn, and beans.
• The approach enriches soil quality, helping reduce the need to clear forest land for farming.

Challenges and Context

• Initially, farmers were skeptical about reducing nitrogen fertilizer use due to concerns over crop yield.
• Brazil’s agricultural sector has faced criticism for deforestation linked to soybean expansion.
• Hungria emphasizes sustainable management that benefits both crop yield and environmental conservation.

Significance

• Provides a sustainable model balancing agricultural productivity with environmental health.
• Offers a pathway for reducing greenhouse gas emissions linked to fertilizer use.
• Strengthens food security by supporting increased production without degrading natural resources.