COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT-BASED CORN AGRICULTURAL SECTOR OPTIMIZATION IN CEKEL VILLAGE, GROBOGAN REGENCY

Abstract

Indonesia's agricultural sector contributes significantly to employment, national food stability, and food self-sufficiency. Optimization of the agricultural sector must be carried out quickly, effectively, and on target. One agricultural sector with superior potential is corn. Diversification of processed corn products is also still very minimal. Another problem in corn farming is the corn cobs that become waste, because the community does not understand how to optimize corn cob waste to make it more useful and have high economic value. This problem also occurs in Cekel Village, Grobogan Regency. The area of ​​productive corn farming land that dominates the area, reaching 223 hectares, has not been optimized, especially with the problem of corn cob waste that continues to accumulate. To date, corn cobs are simply thrown away or even burned, causing air pollution. Furthermore, corn kernels are still sold directly to middlemen at low prices, without any other form of processing. The solutions offered are: 1) Integration of Appropriate Technology (TTG) for corn husking machines and corn cob shredders, 2) Diversification of processed products with corn as raw material, 3) Assistance in making charcoal briquettes, 4) Providing education on making crafts/crafts and mushroom cultivation, and 5) Increasing the capacity and competence of human resources. The methods of implementing the activities are: 1) Lectures/Counselling, 2) Demonstrations, 3) Direct Practice, and 4) Mentoring.