Brazilian Scientist Wins World Food Prize 2024

Brazilian Scientist Wins World Food Prize 2024

Why in News ?

Mariangela Hungria, a Brazilian microbiologist, has won the 2024 World Food Prize for pioneering biological nitrogen fixation to boost crop yields. Her sustainable approach offers an alternative to chemical fertilizers, benefiting both food security and environmental protection.

About the Pathbreaking Research in Sustainable Agriculture:

• Mariangela Hungria, a microbiologist from Brazil, has dedicated 40 years to researching biological soil and seed treatments.
• She focused on biological nitrogen fixation, where bacteria interact with plant roots to naturally produce nitrogen, reducing dependence on chemical fertilizers.
• Her work demonstrated that high yields can be achieved without synthetic inputs, making agriculture more eco-friendly.

Global Recognition and Impact

• Hungria has been awarded the World Food Prize 2024, along with a $500,000 reward by the Iowa-based foundation.
• The award honors her contribution to increasing yields of crops like wheat, corn, beans, and especially soybeans.
• Brazil, benefitting from her research, is now the world’s largest soybean producer, surpassing the S.
  
• Her techniques help maintain soil fertility and reduce the need to expand farmland into forested regions.

Challenges and Future Outlook

• Initially, Hungria faced resistance from those advocating chemical-intensive farming.
• Farmers were hesitant to reduce nitrogen fertilizer use, fearing a drop in productivity.
• Through field demonstrations and direct engagement, she proved that biological alternatives are equally effective.
• She believes such practices can help enrich soil, prevent deforestation, and promote climate-resilient farming.
• Hungria will receive her prize in October, at an international agricultural gathering in Iowa.