Exploring the role of nature-based solutions and emerging technologies in advancing circular and sustainable agriculture: An opinionated review for environmental resilience

• NbS in agriculture encompasses ecological principles and biodiversity conservation. • NbS promote food security, reduce costs, and open niche markets. • Precision agriculture, remote sensing, and drones in NbS present innovations. • Balancing productivity with environmental risks are barriers for smallholders. • Advancements in genetic technologies, biochar, and digital agriculture shape NbS. This review explores the role of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) and emerging technologies in advancing circular and sustainable agriculture, with a focus on enhancing environmental resilience. NbS, such as agroforestry and cover cropping, integrate ecological processes to improve sustainability, biodiversity conservation, and climate resilience. These practices enhance soil health, increase organic matter, improve soil structure, and promote nutrient availability, thereby mitigating erosion and fostering biodiversity. Additionally, they support critical ecosystem services like pollination and pest control, which are essential for climate change adaptation. However, the scalability of NbS is hindered by challenges, including high initial costs, knowledge gaps, and limited market access for organic products. While NbS can help mitigate environmental degradation, intensified agricultural practices in some cases may still lead to concerns like habitat loss and water pollution from agricultural runoff. Emerging technologies such as precision agriculture, genetic innovations, and drone technologies offer promising solutions to optimize resource use, enhance crop resilience, and facilitate real-time monitoring, supporting sustainable agricultural practices. The review calls for further research and policy efforts to address adoption barriers, overcome knowledge gaps, and mitigate environmental risks. Circular and sustainable agriculture can be advanced, offering significant benefits for environmental resilience and food security by integrating NbS and emerging technologies.