Mataram, University of Mataram – Students from the Community Empowerment Village Development Service Program (KKN-PMD) of University of Mataram (Unram) in Gumantar Village are turning corn cob waste into charcoal briquettes with economic value. The green economy-based program was carried out in Amor-Amor and Senumpeng hamlets, Gumantar Village, Kayangan District, North Lombok, from July to August 2026.

The program began with a community outreach session on July 10, 2026, introducing corn cobs as a potential source of alternative energy. The activity involved young people, residents, community leaders, traditional leaders, and hamlet heads to raise awareness of the potential of agricultural waste that has not been fully utilized.

On July 15, the KKN students and residents formed a waste-processing group and conducted a hands-on demonstration of the briquette production and molding process. The program continued with assistance on product packaging and digital marketing strategies on July 29 to support the sustainable development of the product.

Corncob briquettes have potential as an alternative fuel because they provide relatively stable heat, burn for longer periods, and produce less smoke than conventional charcoal. The production process also uses simple materials and equipment, including recycled PVC pipe sections as briquette molds.

Ahmad Salman, Head of Group 3 of the KKN-PMD Unram team in Gumantar Village, emphasized the importance of sustaining the program so that the innovation can develop into a community-based business opportunity.

“Corncobs, which have traditionally been burned or left to accumulate, have good calorific value for making briquettes. Through structured training and the formation of independent business groups, we hope the community can continue production as a new business opportunity based on local resources,” he said.

In addition to reducing agricultural waste and the impacts of open burning, turning corn cobs into briquettes creates opportunities for local economic development. The program supports SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) through the use of alternative energy sources, SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) through the development of business opportunities, and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) by converting waste into useful products.

Through the program, KKN-PMD Unram hopes residents of Gumantar Village can continue briquette production independently while developing the product as an alternative business based on local resources.