Overview
Background
Dr Md. Ali Akber is a researcher in agribusiness, rural development and economics whose work focuses on making agrifood systems more sustainable, resilient, and inclusive in the face of climate change, market transformation, and environmental pressure. As a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at The University of Queensland, he has built an interdisciplinary research profile spanning sustainable agriculture, food systems transformation, and spatial analysis, with a particular focus on smallholder production systems and value chain development in the Asia-Pacific region. His work covers climate-smart agriculture, sustainable rice and aquaculture systems, peri-urban food systems, and land-use change, with strong regional engagement across Australia and South and Southeast Asia. He has also contributed to the design and delivery of international capacity-building and professional development programs that support leadership, value chain development, and inclusive agrifood systems transformation.
Availability
- Dr Md. Ali Akber is:
- Available for supervision
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Environmental Science, Khulna University
- Masters (Research) of Natural Resource Management, Asian Institute of Technology Thailand
- Doctor of Philosophy of Agriculture, Land and Farm Management, The University of Queensland
Research interests
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Agribusiness
Research on agribusiness systems, market linkages, and value chain development, with a focus on improving the performance, inclusiveness, and sustainability of agrifood sectors. This work examines how businesses, farmers, and institutions interact to create stronger market opportunities and more resilient rural economies.
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Rural Development
Research on rural development pathways that strengthen livelihoods, resilience, and inclusive growth in farming communities. This includes work on smallholder livelihoods, institutional engagement, and development challenges shaped by climate change, environmental pressures, and changing market conditions.
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Food Systems Transformation
Research on how food systems can be transformed to become more sustainable, climate-resilient, and inclusive. This work focuses on agrifood transitions, policy-relevant evidence, and practical strategies that improve food security, environmental outcomes, and the performance of food value chains.
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Smallholder Farming Systems
Research on smallholder farming systems, particularly in coastal and transitional environments, with attention to productivity, livelihoods, adaptation, and sustainability. This work explores how farming households respond to environmental and economic change and how stronger value chains can support more resilient production systems.
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Systems Thinking
Research and capacity-building that apply systems thinking to understand complexity in agrifood systems and rural development. This approach helps identify interconnections, trade-offs, and leverage points for improving policy, leadership, and decision-making in sustainable agriculture and food systems transformation.
Works
Search Professor Md. Ali Akber’s works on UQ eSpace
2026
Journal Article
Producing more rice with fewer emissions: a global meta-analysis
Thai, Van Tinh, Checco, Julia, Mitchell, Jaquie, Garba, Ismail Ibrahim, Akber, Md. Ali and Aziz, Ammar Abdul (2026). Producing more rice with fewer emissions: a global meta-analysis. npj Sustainable Agriculture, 4 (1) 27. doi: 10.1038/s44264-026-00136-x
2026
Journal Article
A Multi-Dimensional Indicator Framework for Peri-Urban Area Delineation: Insights from Equal- and AHP-Weighted Models in Java, Indonesia
Wang, Ziyue, Kiloes, Adhitya Marendra, Akber, Md. Ali, Wiwoho, Bagus Setiabudi and Abdul Aziz, Ammar (2026). A Multi-Dimensional Indicator Framework for Peri-Urban Area Delineation: Insights from Equal- and AHP-Weighted Models in Java, Indonesia. Remote Sensing, 18 (7) 1062, 1062-7. doi: 10.3390/rs18071062
2026
Journal Article
Spatial Assessment of Water Balance and Soil Erosion Under Land-Use Change in Chieng Hac, Northern Vietnam
Sukmawijaya, Adhera, Akber, Md. Ali, Wang, Ziyue, Azizan, Fathin Ayuni, Bell, Michael and Abdul Aziz, Ammar (2026). Spatial Assessment of Water Balance and Soil Erosion Under Land-Use Change in Chieng Hac, Northern Vietnam. Remote Sensing, 18 (7) 998, 998-7. doi: 10.3390/rs18070998
2026
Journal Article
Operationalising systems thinking for Australia’s National Food Security Strategy
Kotir, Julius H., Checco, Julia, Akber, Md Ali, Kiloes, Adhitya Marendra, Dipu, Mokaddes Ahmed, Yanti Nuraeni Muflikh and Aziz, Ammar Abdul (2026). Operationalising systems thinking for Australia’s National Food Security Strategy. Farm Policy Journal, 23 (1) FPJ2301, 100-117.
2025
Conference Publication
Establishing a sustainable, high-quality smallholder rice value chain in the Mekong Delta: progress and key outcomes
Mitchell, Jaquie, Checco, Julia, Thai, Tinh Van, Dong, Tung Lam, Tran, Khang, Thanh, Dao Vu Thi, Trinh, Duy, Minh, Luan Ha, Minh, Nguyen Anh, Bui, Ly Chuc, Wood, Shona, Akber, Ali, Muflikh, Yanti Nuraeni, Palaniappan, Gomathy, Prakash, Sangeeta, Ho, Binh, Hong, Tin Nguyen, Quirk, Chris and Aziz, Ammar Abdul (2025). Establishing a sustainable, high-quality smallholder rice value chain in the Mekong Delta: progress and key outcomes. TropAg 2025, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 11-13 November 2025.
2025
Journal Article
Factors influencing consumer preferences for sustainably produced rice: A systematic review
Zhou, Xi, Checco, Julia, Akber, Md. Ali and Aziz, Ammar Abdul (2025). Factors influencing consumer preferences for sustainably produced rice: A systematic review. Cleaner and Responsible Consumption, 18 100309, 1-17. doi: 10.1016/j.clrc.2025.100309
2025
Conference Publication
Transforming Vietnam’s rice value chain via a market-led sustainable, traceable, high-quality export market product for the Mekong delta – a quality perspective
Mitchell, Jaquie, Wood, Shona, Tran, Khang, Thi, Thanh Dao Vu, Trinh, Duy, Ho, Binh, Palaniappan, Gomathy, Aziz, Ammar Abdul, Checco, Julia, Thai, Van Tinh, Nguyen, Hong Tin, Thoa, Nguyen Thi Kim, Ly, Bui Chuc, Nguyen, Minh, Akber, Md Ali, Muflikh, Yanti Nuraeni, Ha, Minh Luan, Tran, Ngoc Thach, Quirk, Chris, Lam, Dong Tung, Nguyen, Ngoc Le, Ngoc, Ho Thi Nhu and Prakash, Sangeeta (2025). Transforming Vietnam’s rice value chain via a market-led sustainable, traceable, high-quality export market product for the Mekong delta – a quality perspective. 75th Australasian Grains Science Association Conference, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 20-22 August 2025.
2025
Journal Article
Application of remote sensing and geographic information systems for monitoring and managing chili crops: a systematic review
Wang, Ziyue, Akber, Md Ali and Aziz, Ammar Abdul (2025). Application of remote sensing and geographic information systems for monitoring and managing chili crops: a systematic review. Remote Sensing, 17 (16) 2827, 1-23. doi: 10.3390/rs17162827
2025
Journal Article
Climate-smart aquaculture practice: Changes in economic viability and efficiency of mud crab fattening in coastal Bangladesh
Sujan, Md. Hayder Khan, Sarkar, Md Abdur Rouf, Sultana, Monira, Akber, Md. Ali, McKenzie, Andrew M., Kazal, Mohammad Mizanul Haque, Islam, Imrul and Aziz, Ammar Abdul (2025). Climate-smart aquaculture practice: Changes in economic viability and efficiency of mud crab fattening in coastal Bangladesh. Climate Risk Management, 49 100726, 1-20. doi: 10.1016/j.crm.2025.100726
2025
Other Outputs
Mekong sustainable rice – project newsletter #11
Mitchell, Jaquie and Akber, Md. Ali (2025). Mekong sustainable rice – project newsletter #11. Gatton, QLD, Australia: University of Queensland.
2025
Other Outputs
Mekong sustainable rice – project newsletter #10
Mitchell, Jaquie and Akber, Md. Ali (2025). Mekong sustainable rice – project newsletter #10. Gatton, QLD, Australia: University of Queensland.
2024
Other Outputs
Mekong sustainable rice – project newsletter #8
Mitchell, Jaquie and Akber, Md. Ali (2024). Mekong sustainable rice – project newsletter #8. Gatton, QLD, Australia: University of Queensland.
2024
Other Outputs
Mekong sustainable rice – project newsletter #9
Mitchell, Jaquie and Akber, Md. Ali (2024). Mekong sustainable rice – project newsletter #9. Gatton, QLD, Australia: University of Queensland.
2024
Other Outputs
Mekong sustainable rice – project newsletter #7
Mitchell, Jaquie and Akber, Md. Ali (2024). Mekong sustainable rice – project newsletter #7. Gatton, QLD, Australia: University of Queensland.
2024
Conference Publication
Capabilities of hyperspectral spectroradiometer for differentiating rice and rice mimicry weeds on leaf-level measurement
Sukmawijaya, Adhera, Opena, Jhoana, Akber, Ali, Mitchell, Jaquie and Abdul Aziz, Ammar (2024). Capabilities of hyperspectral spectroradiometer for differentiating rice and rice mimicry weeds on leaf-level measurement. 23rd Australasian Weeds Conference, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 25-29 August 2024.
2024
Other Outputs
Mekong sustainable rice – project newsletter #6
Mitchell, Jaquie and Akber, Md. Ali (2024). Mekong sustainable rice – project newsletter #6. Gatton, QLD, Australia: University of Queensland.
2023
Conference Publication
Commercial engagement in publicly funded agricultural research and development
Checco, Julia, Hall, Howard, Dipu, Mokaddes Ahmed, Thai, Van Tinh, Maryono, Sitompul, Iqbal Saleh, Akber, Md. Ali, Jones, Natalie, Mitchell, Jaquie and Abdul Aziz, Ammar (2023). Commercial engagement in publicly funded agricultural research and development. 6th International Rice Congress 2023, Manilla, Philippines, 16-19 October 2023.
2023
Conference Publication
Establishing a sustainable rice value chain using SRP tool, 3Ps and 4Ps models in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam
Nguyen, Tin, Mitchell, Jaquie, Wood, Shona, Akber, Ali, Palaniappan, Gomathy, Checco, Julia, Aziz, Ammar Abdul and Bui, Ly (2023). Establishing a sustainable rice value chain using SRP tool, 3Ps and 4Ps models in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam. International Rice Congress 2023, Manila, Philippines, 16-19 October 2023. doi: 10.5281/zenodo.10398650
2023
Conference Publication
Establishing a high-quality export rice value chain in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam: enablers, disablers, and opportunities
Checco, Julia, Thai, Van Tinh, Muflikh, Yanti Nuraeni, Bui, Chuc Ly, Akber, Ali, Dipu, Mokaddes Ahmed, Nguyen, Hong Tin, Palaniappan, Gomathy, Mitchell, Jaquie and Aziz, Ammar Abdul (2023). Establishing a high-quality export rice value chain in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam: enablers, disablers, and opportunities. International Rice Congress 2023, Manila, Philippines, 16-19 October 2023. Zenodo. doi: 10.5281/zenodo.10398756
2023
Other Outputs
Mekong sustainable rice – project newsletter #5
Mitchell, Jaquie and Akber, Md. Ali (2023). Mekong sustainable rice – project newsletter #5. Gatton, QLD, Australia: University of Queensland.
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Md. Ali Akber is:
- Available for supervision
Looking for a supervisor? Read our advice on how to choose a supervisor.
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Ensuring Halal Integrity in Indonesia: A Case Study on Halal Supply Chain Assurance in Micro and Small Enterprises
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Ammar Abdul Aziz, Associate Professor Risti Permani
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Doctor Philosophy
Adoption dynamics and impact of cropping pattern diversification to mitigate the climate-vulnerabilities in coastal Bangladesh
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Julius Kotir, Professor Ammar Abdul Aziz
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Doctor Philosophy
GIS and remote sensing for improved weed management in direct seeded rice
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jaquie Mitchell, Dr Jhoana Opena, Professor Ammar Abdul Aziz
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Doctor Philosophy
A remote sensing approach to understanding agricultural prodcution dynamics in developing countries
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Qiaomin Chen, Professor Ammar Abdul Aziz
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Doctor Philosophy
Improving the sustainability of rice value chain in Mekong Delta
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jaquie Mitchell, Professor Ammar Abdul Aziz
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Doctor Philosophy
Improving the Capacity of Smallholder Farmers to Adopt Carbon-neutral Agriculture in Indonesia
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Ammar Abdul Aziz, Associate Professor Risti Permani
Completed supervision
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2024
Doctor Philosophy
The role of linkages between peri-urban agriculture and urban food systems in farmers' adoption of certified farming practices in the vegetable value chains in Hanoi, Vietnam
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Rajendra Adhikari, Professor Ammar Abdul Aziz
Media
Enquiries
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