DEVELOPMENT OF ALKALOID-DETOXIFIED AGRO-WASTE MULCH FROM TOBBACO AND COCOA RESIDUES FOR SUSTAINABLE FARMING AND CIRCULAR ECONOMY

Jember, East Java, Indonesia, generates substantial quantities of tobacco and cocoa agricultural waste, both of which contain alkaloids — nicotine and theobromine respectively — that pose phytotoxic and environmental risks when left unmanaged. This study proposes the development of an alkaloid-detoxified agro-waste mulch by combining tobacco residues and cocoa pod husks (CPH) through a low-cost, farmer-accessible processing method. The detoxification process employs a simple aqueous soaking technique targeting a minimum 80% reduction in alkaloid concentration, followed by mulch sheet fabrication using cocoa husk-derived starch as a natural binder. The resulting biodegradable mulch is designed to meet key performance targets: biodegradation within six months, soil moisture retention exceeding 20% over control, and tensile strength above 0.5 N/m. Agronomic performance indicators including soil microbial activity, seed germination rate, and early crop growth are evaluated against conventional alternatives such as rice husk, straw, and commercial biodegradable films over a five-month experimental period. Grounded in circular economy principles, this approach transforms locally available agro-waste into a functional agricultural input, reducing plastic mulch dependency while improving soil health and supporting farmer livelihoods in tobacco- and cocoa-producing regions. Keywords: agro-waste valorization, biodegradable mulch, alkaloid detoxification, cocoa pod husk, tobacco residue, circular economy, sustainable agriculture