LPP Yogyakarta Polytechnic launched a strategic initiative to support energy independence in the agricultural sector through a Community Service (PkM) program in Ngoro-oro Village, Patuk District, Gunungkidul Regency. The activity, which took place on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, focused on empowering farmer groups by processing cocoa pod husk waste into valuable products.
The program, titled “Empowerment of Cocoa Farmers through Waste-Based Co-Carb and Charcoal Briquette Innovation,” involved cross-disciplinary collaboration among LPP Yogyakarta Polytechnic lecturers: Sutan Tarmizi Lubis, M. Khoirul Muslimin, and Bahrul Ulum. This synergy aims to provide concrete solutions for farmers in managing plantation waste while supporting rural climate resilience.
The main innovation introduced is the Co-Carb (Cocoa Pod Husk–Carbonized Organic Material) technology and the charcoal briquette-making method. By converting cocoa husks, previously considered organic waste, into carbonized material, farmers now have access to a more economical and environmentally friendly alternative energy source.
The Head of Ngoro-oro Village, Sukasto, highly appreciated the practical steps initiated by the academic community. He is optimistic that the application of this appropriate technology will increase the economic added value for farmers in his area, while creating sustainable waste management patterns.
The leader of the PkM team, Sutan Tarmizi Lubis, emphasized that this education aims to shift farmers' paradigms regarding agricultural waste. Through hands-on demonstrations, participants from the Sumber Makmur Farmer Group were guided to practice the raw material processing steps, from the initial phase to ready-to-use charcoal briquettes.
This program is expected to be the starting point for sustainable collaboration between higher education institutions and village communities. In the future, Ngoro-oro Village is expected to transform into a learning center for environmentally friendly agricultural innovations that can address local-level energy independence challenges.
