Biomass Valorization for Sustainable Tropical Pest Management: Outcomes of an International Academic Engagement Program
Keywords:
Biomass valorization, Sustainable pest management, Tropical agriculture, International academic engagement, Biochar and wood vinegarAbstract
Sustainable pest management remains a critical challenge in tropical agricultural systems, where year-round pest and disease pressure often leads to heavy reliance on synthetic pesticides. Such dependence poses environmental and health risks, necessitating alternative, eco-friendly strategies. This study reports the outcomes of an international academic engagement program aimed at disseminating biomass-based pest management approaches, particularly the valorization of oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB) into biochar and wood vinegar, as sustainable inputs for tropical agriculture. The program was conducted through academic presentations, laboratory visits, and structured discussions involving Indonesian and Japanese institutions. To evaluate its impact, a Likert-scale questionnaire was administered to participants (n = 24). The overall evaluation yielded a very high mean score (4.69/5.00), with the highest-rated indicator being opportunities for international collaboration (4.83), followed by topic relevance (4.75) and improvement in participants’ understanding (4.70). The findings demonstrate that biomass valorization strategies not only offer promising sustainable alternatives to synthetic pesticides but also serve as an effective platform for international knowledge exchange and collaborative research networking. This study highlights the strategic role of international academic engagement in bridging tropical agricultural innovation with global sustainability discourse.
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