The 'Oscar' of food prizes goes to a Brazilian who harnessed the power of bacteria

npr.orgPublished: 5/13/2025

Summary

The 'Oscar' of food prizes honors Mariangela Hungria, a microbiologist in Brazil, for pioneering work that transformed agricultural practices by harnessing bacterial benefits to boost crop yields. Despite initial skepticism and challenges, her research led to breakthroughs in soil fertility, making farmers more efficient and reducing reliance on chemical fertilizers. Her work has not only revolutionized Brazilian agriculture but also inspired new initiatives aimed at improving sustainability and inclusivity in farming.