Mapping global cropland potential to deliver iron and zinc where they are most needed

Micronutrient deficiencies affect billions of people globally, yet agricultural planning rarely aligns crop production with nutritional needs. Here we present a spatial decision framework that links a Deficiency-Weighted Nutrient Score (DWNS) for 37 crops with Global Agro-Ecological Zones (GAEZ) attainable yields to identify crop–region opportunities to boost iron and zinc supply. Four crops (soybean, cowpea, pearl millet, and common beans) consistently rank highest across deficiency hotspots. Under rain-fed, intermediate-input assumptions, attainable nutrient yields (mg ha⁻¹) in Eastern Africa, Southern/Western/Central Africa, Southern Asia, and the Caribbean could meet the daily iron requirements of ~7,000–20,000 people per hectare, depending on crop and region. We distinguish between potential nutrient supply and actual dietary intake, highlighting the economic and behavioural factors that determine whether production translates into impact. This framework complements existing economic and demand-side approaches, enabling governments and development agencies to direct investments toward nutrient-dense crops and value chains that are regionally viable, advancing SDG 2 while recognising real-world feasibility constraints.