Implementation of Coconut Waste Processing Technology to Support Agricultural Sustainability in Coastal Tourism Areas

Abstract

Beach tourism is identical to coconut. Almost all beach tourists will look forward to enjoying fresh coconut water under the hot beach atmosphere. High coconut consumption in tourist areas greatly benefits the economy of traders in tourist areas. On the other hand, it creates a problem due to increased coconut waste. Coconut waste is large and difficult to decompose, resulting in a buildup that could disrupt coastal tourism. Goa Cemara Beach in Bantul, Yogyakarta, is one of the areas affected by coconut waste accumulation, hence warranting proper management of coconut shell waste. Coconut shell waste Management is expected to be a new source of income for the local community. Community service activities are carried out to apply coconut waste processing technology. This technology is carried out to overcome the problem of accumulation of waste and utilize waste as a support for sustainable agriculture. Applying this waste treatment technology involves two community groups, namely the “Pantai Goa Cemara” tourism awareness group and the “Tani Raharjo” farmer's group. Each group has a synergistic role in the processing and utilization of waste. The Goa Cemara Beach tourism awareness group, processes the destruction of coconut shell waste with a mill. The crushed coconut shell waste will produce small pieces. Sorting the crushed coconut waste will produce two forms, namely cocopeat, and cocofiber. Laboratory tests are carried out to see the content of cocopeat and the safe amount that can be applied to agriculture. Laboratory results showed organic matter 19.51-28.70%, Nitrogen 0.69-0.88%, Phosphorus 0.40-0.58%, Potassium 0.26-0.33%, and pH 7.66-7.95 depending on the age of the waste. Community service activities are carried out to utilize cocopeat to become an environmentally friendly seedling medium. Seedling media with cocopeat printed in squares can sow plant seeds. This box media is often called a soil block and does not require small plastic pots for seeds. Thus, it can reduce plastic waste on agricultural land. In addition, the utilization of processed coconut shell waste can support sustainable agriculture.