APLIKASI KOMPOS DAN BIOCHAR SEBAGAI PEMBENAH TANAH UNTUK MENINGKATKAN PRODUKTIVITAS LAHAN - Endang Saptiningsih; Jafron Wasiq Hidayat; Sri Darmanti; Sri Puryono Karto Soedarmo; Rheka Fauzan Azhar; Dhiya Ulhaq; Farras Haidar Hakim (Universitas Muhammadiyah Mataram, 2026)
Abstrak: Lahan Kelompok Wanita Tani (KWT) Wanadipa di Kawasan Hutan Dengan Tujuan Khusus (KHDTK) Ungaran memiliki keterbatasan infiltrasi air dan kandungan bahan organik yang rendah. Kondisi tersebut berpotensi menurunkan produktivitas lahan serta meningkatkan risiko erosi, sehingga diperlukan upaya pembenahan tanah berbasis sumber daya lokal melalui pemanfaatan kompos dan biochar. Kegiatan pengabdian masyarakat ini bertujuan meningkatkan kapasitas KTH (Kelompok Tani Hutan) dan KWT Wanadipa dalam mengolah limbah pertanian menjadi pembenah tanah berbasis biochar dan kompos. Kegiatan ini juga diarahkan untuk memperkuat keterampilan teknis, kesadaran lingkungan, kerja sama, dan kemandirian mitra dalam mengelola sumber daya lokal secara berkelanjutan. Mitra kegiatan adalah KTH dan KWT Wanadipa. Dari total 84 petani, sebanyak 30 orang aktif mengikuti kegiatan pengabdian masyarakat melalui program KKNT yang dilaksanakan di KHDTK Wanadipa, Kabupaten Semarang, Jawa Tengah. Metode kegiatan meliputi sosialisasi, pelatihan, pendampingan aplikasi biochar dan kompos pada lahan percontohan, serta evaluasi melalui pengujian infiltrasi, pengamatan daya hidup tanaman serta pemahaman dan keterampilan mitra. Hasil kegiatan menunjukkan bahwa aplikasi kompos dan biochar mampu memperbaiki drainase tanah, meningkatkan kemampuan infiltrasi, serta mendukung adaptasi dan pertumbuhan tanaman kayu putih, serai wangi, nilam, kopi, dan aren. Program ini juga meningkatkan hardskill dan softskill mitra KTH dan KWT sebesar 35–60% dibandingkan dengan sebelum kegiatan. Dengan demikian, penerapan teknologi biochar dan kompos menjadi solusi pembenahan tanah yang aplikatif, berkelanjutan, serta berpotensi meningkatkan produktivitas lahan dan kemandirian KTH dan KWT Wanadipa.Abstract: The land managed by the Wanadipa Women Farmers Group (KWT) in the Ungaran Special Purpose Forest Area (KHDTK) has limited water infiltration and low organic matter content. These conditions may reduce land productivity and increase the risk of erosion; therefore, soil improvement efforts based on local resources are needed through the use of compost and biochar. This community service activity aims to increase the capacity of the Wanadipa Forest Farmers Group (KTH) and Women Farmers Group (KWT) in processing agricultural waste into soil amendments based on biochar and compost. The activity is also designed to strengthen technical skills, environmental awareness, collaboration, and partner independence in managing local resources sustainably. The partners involved in this activity were the Wanadipa KTH and KWT. Of the total 84 farmers, 30 actively participated in the KKNT community service program, which was held at KHDTK Wanadipa in Semarang Regency, Central Java. The methods included socialization, training, assistance with applying biochar and compost to demonstration plots, and evaluation through infiltration testing, plant survival observation, and assessment of partners’ understanding and skills. The results showed that applying compost and biochar improved soil drainage, increased infiltration capacity, and supported the adaptation and growth of eucalyptus, citronella, patchouli, coffee, and sugar palm plants. This program also increased the hard skills and soft skills of KTH and KWT partners by 35–60% compared to before the activity. Therefore, the application of biochar and compost technology can serve as a viable, sustainable soil-improvement solution, with the potential to increase land productivity and strengthen the independence of Wanadipa KTH and KWT.