Community Empowerment through the Utilization of Agricultural Waste as Environmentally Friendly Biocoke Fuel

Abstract

Optimal agricultural waste management can be an innovative solution to provide sustainable alternative energy. This study analyzes community empowerment by using agricultural waste as raw material for biocoke production, a solid fuel that is more environmentally friendly than fossil fuels. The main waste used in this study included empty oil palm bunches (EFB), rice husks, and sawdust, which were carbonized at a temperature of 400–500°C. The results showed that the biocoke produced had a fixed carbon content of 70–85%, with a calorific value reaching 25–30 MJ/kg and a combustion efficiency of up to 85%. This study also noted that the carbonization process is more optimal when the water content in the raw material is low, producing biocoke with minimal ash content. From an economic perspective, the community empowerment program in biocoke production increases community income by up to 25% and improves technical skills by 80% based on a survey of training participants. However, there are significant challenges in the continuity of raw material supply that depend on the harvest season and limited access to carbonization technology, which is still relatively expensive. Thus, an integrative strategy is needed that includes raw material management, increasing technological efficiency, and policy support to strengthen the sustainability of biocoke production at the local level.