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April 23, 2026Agricultural & Environmental Letters1 citationsOpen Access

3N Agriculture: Growing the greenest tomorrow

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DFDamien J. FieldBMBudiman MinasnyAMAlexander B. McBratney

Key Points

  • The central aim is to create an integrated agricultural framework that balances food production with ecological and nutritional needs.
  • Proposed the 3N Agriculture framework consisting of net-zero, nature-positive, and nutrient-balanced strategies.
  • Outlined necessary systemic changes in energy use, land management, and biodiversity stewardship.
  • Emphasized the importance of policies and markets to implement the 3N strategies across various levels.
  • Established that 3N Agriculture can simultaneously address climate change, biodiversity loss, and poor nutrition.
  • Indicated that integrated strategies lead to more resilient and restorative agricultural practices.
  • Outlined a pathway for aligning agricultural practices with Sustainable Development Goals for future food security.

Abstract

Abstract The global food system must confront the intertwined challenges of feeding a growing population, reversing environmental degradation, and improving nutrition. While past agricultural innovations improved yields, they often undermined sustainability and food quality. In response, we propose the 3N Agriculture framework—Net‐Zero, Nature‐Positive, and Nutrient‐Balanced—as an integrated strategic model to transform agriculture into a resilient, restorative, and health‐promoting system. Unlike siloed approaches, 3N Agriculture integrates climate mitigation, biodiversity conservation, and nutritional enhancement within a single coherent strategy. It calls for systemic changes in energy use, land management, biodiversity stewardship, and food production, aligning productivity with environmental and human health goals. The framework provides a practical pathway to move beyond fragmented implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals and secure food systems and landscapes for future generations. Core Ideas The 3N Agriculture framework unites Net‐Zero, Nature‐Positive, and Nutrient‐Balanced imperatives. Integrated 3N strategies address climate, biodiversity, and nutrition challenges simultaneously. Policies, markets, and knowledge systems are essential to scale 3N Agriculture across all levels. 3N offers a distinct, systems‐based pathway beyond regenerative and climate‐smart agriculture.

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Cite This Study

Field et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/69e9bb9e85696592c86ed350https://doi.org/10.1002/ael2.70068
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