Dr Naoya Takeda is a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Sustainable Agroecosystems program at Queensland University of Technology’s Centre for Agriculture and the Bioeconomy. His research focuses on carbon and nitrogen cycling in rice, sugarcane and grain farming, with the aim of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving nitrogen efficiency and enhancing soil carbon stocks to support sustainable productivity. He combines field experiments with advanced modelling to better understand how agricultural practices affect ecosystem processes, and his findings have enhanced greenhouse gas inventories, carbon credit frameworks and life cycle assessments. Dr Takeda provides research-driven insights to support farmers, industry professionals and policymakers in building climate-resilient agricultural systems.
Dr Takeda is currently leading the Optimising on-farm carbon footprint measurements for the verification of low-carbon commodities project for the Qld Decarb Hub. We asked him a few questions about himself and his research:
- Describe your research project in a single sentence.
The project will develop a low-cost, high-accuracy measurement strategy to verify on-farm emission reductions, adding “low-carbon” value to Queensland’s agricultural products.
- Can you introduce the key members of your research team and briefly explain what their roles/expertise and contributions to the project are (this includes you!)?
Myself as the chief investigator of this project to collate and analyse data to develop optimised on-farm N2O measurement strategies, Prof. David Rowlings and Prof. Mike Bell as providers of emission data and agronomic/environmental insights, and Carbonaught as an industry advisor from the carbon market perspectives.
- What first inspired you to take on this research topic?
A broad range of carbon/GHG abatement technologies are emerging in the agricultural industries, while the guidelines in the carbon markets and regulations have not incorporated them yet or lack the science-supported methodology to evaluate their application at the operational scale. This need for science to promote the decarbonisation technologies inspired me to take on this project.
- What do you hope your research will contribute to the world?
I would like my research to bridge the gap between the demand for decarbonisation of the agricultural industry and the current regulations and methodologies to assess the application of abatement technologies.
- What would make the biggest difference in helping your research have impact?
Identifying stakeholders (farmers, ag & food industries, carbon developers, etc.) who have high interests/incentives in assessing and reducing on-farm emissions, and connecting our research to them.
- If you could amplify one positive trend already underway, what would it be and why?
Increasing investor and consumer preference for low-emission products, which incentivises and promotes decarbonisation efforts.
- What does your dream job look like?
Creating sustainability values and real-world impacts by connecting technologies, disciplines, stakeholders and countries.
- What does an ideal non-working day look like to you?
Doing activities like sports, dance, languages, movies and travels as well as seeing people, getting myself inspired and refreshed.
- In your opinion, what is the single best thing anyone can do to support decarbonisation?
Try to know and account for the decarbonisation efforts and impacts of the producers in your daily consumption decisions.
- What’s one fun fact about you?
I dance salsa well :)
