Mariangela Hungria wins the “Nobel Prize” of world agriculture
Brazilian scientist Mariangela Hungria, a researcher at Embrapa Soybean and a full member and board member of the Brazilian Academy of Sciences, has been awarded the World Food Prize, recognized as the “Nobel Prize” of agriculture. The announcement was made on Tuesday (13) at the headquarters of the World Food Prize Foundation in the United States. Awarded annually, the prize recognizes individuals who contribute to improving the quality and availability of food worldwide.
In its announcement, the foundation highlighted that Mariangela’s discoveries helped Brazil become a global agricultural powerhouse. With more than 40 years dedicated to research, Mariangela is recognized for developing innovative technologies in soil microbiology.
“Replacing the use of chemical products with biological products in agriculture has been the fight of my life. I am very proud to contribute to food production while also reducing environmental impact. The goal was to increase productivity with the lowest possible use of chemical products, and we achieved this with more biological products,” Mariangela said in a statement about the award.
For her, the award also represents recognition for science conducted in Brazil and encouragement for other women researchers. “I cannot believe that I am now receiving the World Food Prize. Many people questioned my abilities throughout my career, but I believed in what I was doing and persevered. The role of women in agriculture, from farming to science, deserves greater recognition. I hope my achievement inspires others to pursue their passions in science.”
Inspired by Johanna Döbereiner, internationally recognized for her contributions to agriculture, Mariangela was one of the early advocates of biological nitrogen fixation, a process in which crops form mutually beneficial associations with soil bacteria that provide nitrogen, an essential nutrient for plant growth.
Throughout her career, she has developed dozens of biological treatments, reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers and increasing agricultural productivity. Her technologies are estimated to have been used on more than 40 million hectares in Brazil, saving farmers up to US$25 billion per year in input costs and preventing more than 230 million tons of CO₂-equivalent emissions annually.
According to Embrapa, where she has worked since 1982, Mariangela’s research has focused on increasing food production and quality by partially or completely replacing chemical fertilizers with microorganisms possessing properties such as biological nitrogen fixation, phytohormone synthesis, and the solubilization of phosphate and potassium-bearing rocks.
In addition to her research on soybeans, Mariangela has also coordinated studies that led to technologies for other crops, including beans, corn, and wheat. In 2020, she was ranked among the 100,000 most influential scientists in the world by Stanford University in the United States.
Mariangela holds a degree in Agronomic Engineering from Esalq/USP, a master’s degree in Soil Science and Plant Nutrition from Esalq/USP, a PhD in Soil Science from UFRRJ, and completed postdoctoral research at three universities: Cornell University, the University of California, Davis, and the University of Seville. She began her career in 1982 at Embrapa Agrobiology in Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro. Since 1991, she has worked at Embrapa Soybean in Londrina, Paraná. She is also a professor at the State University of Londrina (UEL) and the Federal University of Technology – Paraná (UTFPR).
Scientist is the first Brazilian woman to receive the award, which has previously honored three other Brazilians
This is the third time the World Food Prize has been awarded to Brazilians and the first time to a Brazilian woman. In 2006, agronomists Edson Lobato and Alysson Paulinelli shared the prize with A. Colin McClung of the United States for their work in developing agriculture in Brazil’s Cerrado region. In 2011, two former presidents, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil and John Kufuor of Ghana, were selected for their efforts to combat hunger while serving as heads of government.
The prize was established by Norman E. Borlaug, winner of the 1970 Nobel Peace Prize for his work in agriculture and widely considered the “father” of the Green Revolution. The award was created in 1986 with sponsorship from General Foods Corporation. As part of the recognition, Mariangela will receive US$500,000 and a sculpture designed by artist and designer Saul Bass. The award ceremony will take place on October 23 in Des Moines, Iowa, United States.
Present at the announcement, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds highlighted Mariangela’s example for other women. “As a pioneering scientist and mother, Dr. Hungria also serves as an inspiring example for women researchers seeking to embody both roles. Her discoveries have helped Brazil become a global breadbasket,” she said.
“Dr. Hungria was selected for her extraordinary scientific achievements in biological fixation, which have transformed the sustainability of agriculture in South America,” said Gebisa Ejeta, chair of the committee responsible for selecting the award recipients. “Her brilliant scientific work and committed vision for advancing sustainable agricultural production have earned her global recognition, both at home and abroad.”
Source: https://www.abc.org.br/2025/05/14/mariangela-hungria-nobel-da-agricultura/
