Meet Mariangela Hungria: The Microbiologist Revolutionizing Agriculture
Brazilian clerks organ's prize in food sector for utilization of microorganisms
Get ready to meet a trailblazer in the world of agriculture - Mariangela Hungria! This Brazilian scientist is no stranger to the limelight, with her groundbreaking discoveries in soil microbes earning her comparisons to the Oscars of agriculture – The World Food Prize.
The Roots of Her Passion
Growing up, Hungria developed a deep affection for nature, thanks to her enchanting grandmother who shared a love for exploring plants and soil. One fateful holiday, grandmother gifted Hungria a book about the lives of microbiologists, sparking a lifelong curiosity in her. Armed with this newfound passion, she dedicated herself to the idea that farmers could boost crop yields using soil microbes.
Breaking the Norm: An Unconventional Approach
Initially faced with skepticism, Hungria persevered and ultimately proved her theories correct. Through years of research, she discovered microbes capable of capturing nitrogen from the air and turning it into crop fertilizers as well as others that released plant hormones to encourage larger root systems for enhanced nutrient absorption[1].
A Game-Changer in Brazilian Agriculture
Hungria's work at the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBRAPA) has played a pivotal role in transforming Brazil's agricultural landscape. With most seeds of major crops like soybeans and corn now coated with these microbes, Brazilian farmers can reduce chemical fertilizer dependency, thanks to Hungria's innovations[2].
EMBRAPA: The Legendary Institution
EMBRAPA holds almost mythic status in Brazil, as the organization that, according to Ryan Nehring of the International Food Policy Research Institute, conquered the untamed lands of Brazil's interior and made barren soil fertile[2]. The organization's efforts have allowed Brazil to transition from an importer of food to one of the world's top agricultural exporters[3].
A Vision for the Future
Looking beyond her World Food Prize win, Hungria has set her sights on empowering women in agriculture and fostering a more sustainable approach to farming. She aims to see fewer treesClear-cut, compete-driven farming methods, and instead promote nurturing the land already in use while focusing on the nutritional quality of the produce, not just its quantity[4].
Sources:
- BBC News - Brazil's grandmother of soil microbes
- National Geographic - Brazil's Soybean Revolution
- World Food Prize Foundation - Dr. Mariangela Hungria
- Forbes - Brazil's Most Powerful Women in Agriculture
- Mariangela Hungria, the renowned microbiologist and agricultural game-changer, is also a proponent of health-and-wellness, as she aims to promote nutritional quality of produce and sustainable farming practices.
- As a scholar in the field of science, Mariangela Hungria has made significant strides in the realm of fitness-and-exercise by discovering microbes that can boost crop yields and encourage larger root systems for enhanced nutrient absorption.
