Studies were done with corn and cowpeas, cultivated using traditional methods. Both biological and economic yield advantages were computed. The advantage of the intercrop depended upon both the evaluation criterion utilized and the ecological background of the area in which the experiments were done. A clear intercrop advantage was obtained in the area which was intermediate fallow and not burned (“bush fallow”)- Equivocal results were obtained in the area which was slashed and burned (“forest fallow”). Both biological and economic criteria were utilized in evaluating the system.