Community Empowerment through the Utilization of Corn Husk Waste into Creative Products: An Effort to Reduce Agricultural Waste and Prevent Waterway Blockages in Talangkembar Village

Abstract

Corn husk waste is one of the agricultural residues that has not been optimally utilized by the community of Talangkembar Village, Montong District, Tuban Regency. This condition contributes to environmental problems, including the accumulation of agricultural waste that may clog drainage channels. This community service program aimed to empower the local community by transforming corn husk waste into creative products with functional and economic value. The program employed the Asset Based Community Development (ABCD) approach with a participatory method consisting of asset identification, program planning, training implementation, mentoring, monitoring, and evaluation. The activities involved the village government, youth organizations (Karang Taruna), women's groups (PKK), and the local community. The results demonstrated that participants were able to produce various creative products, including flower vases, artificial flowers, lanterns, keychains, home decorations, and souvenirs made from corn husks. In addition to producing creative handicrafts, the program enhanced community knowledge, skills, creativity, and participation in agricultural waste management. The utilization of corn husk waste contributed to reducing agricultural waste, preventing drainage blockage, and creating opportunities for local creative economic development. Therefore, the ABCD approach proved effective in empowering communities by optimizing local assets to support environmental sustainability and improve community welfare.