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
Banyu Guntur Andika (Thu,) studied this question.