Transformation of Agricultural Waste into Biomass Briquettes as a Renewable Energy Source for Community Empowerment in Alue Krueng Village: Realizing a Circular Economy and Energy Self-Sufficiency

Abstract

The community empowerment program in Alue Krueng Village, West Aceh Regency aims to optimize the utilization of agricultural waste into alternative energy through biomass briquette production. This initiative was motivated by the low utilization of organic residues such as rice husks, coconut shells and sawdust, which are commonly discarded or openly burned, causing environmental pollution. Applying the principles of a circular economy and renewable energy transition, the program was designed to enhance household energy self sufficiency while generating additional income for rural communities. The main contribution of this activity lies in strengthening technical skills for converting waste into marketable products, building institutional capacity within farmer groups and raising collective awareness of sustainable local resource management. The program employed a participatory approach (Participatory Rural Appraisal/PRA) consisting of four stages: socialization and resource mapping, technical training, hands on briquette production using a learning-by-doing method and continuous mentoring and evaluation. The results showed that the produced briquettes exhibited superior burning duration compared to firewood, reduced household firewood consumption by up to 40% and created a new source of income for local families. Moreover, the initiative directly supports several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and SDG 13 (Climate Action). In conclusion, the transformation of agricultural waste into biomass briquettes has proven effective in fostering rural energy independence, strengthening local economies and empowering communities toward a green and sustainable development pathway.