The findings are particularly relevant as Indonesia continues to seek sustainable agricultural practices capable of increasing food production while preserving natural resources. Yellow corn remains one of the country's most strategic food commodities, serving both as a staple for livestock feed and as a major source of income for smallholder farmers.
Researchers found that farmers practicing agroforestry produced substantially higher yields and earned more income than those using conventional monoculture systems. The results suggest that combining food crops with trees could strengthen agricultural resilience amid climate change and growing pressure on farmland.
Why Agroforestry Matters
Agriculture in many regions of Indonesia faces challenges ranging from declining soil fertility and land degradation to increasingly unpredictable weather patterns. Traditional monoculture systems, while widely practiced, often leave farmers vulnerable to crop failures and fluctuating market prices.
Agroforestry offers an alternative land-use approach by integrating agricultural crops with trees on the same plot of land. This system is designed not only to increase productivity but also to improve soil quality, conserve water, reduce erosion, and diversify farmers' sources of income.
Previous studies in Indonesia have shown that agroforestry contributes significantly to household income and food security. However, quantitative evidence specifically examining yellow corn productivity in agroforestry systems remained limited, especially in Bone Regency, one of South Sulawesi's major corn-producing areas.
Field Survey of Corn Farmers
The research team conducted field surveys during the 2026 corn planting season in Taccipi Village, Bone Regency.
Data were collected from ten farmers who had already adopted agroforestry practices. Researchers gathered information through questionnaires, in-depth interviews, direct observations, and documentation. Secondary data were also obtained from the Bone Agricultural Office.
To evaluate the economic performance of agroforestry, the researchers analyzed crop productivity, farm income, and the Revenue-Cost (R/C) ratio, a common indicator used to assess whether farming activities are economically viable.
The analysis compared agroforestry systems with conventional monoculture corn farming.
Agroforestry Delivers Higher Corn Productivity
One of the study's most significant findings is the increase in yellow corn productivity under agroforestry systems.
The average yield reached 4,200 kilograms per hectare, compared with 3,600 kilograms per hectare in monoculture farming. This represents a productivity increase of approximately 16.7 percent.
Researchers observed that productivity remained relatively consistent among farmers despite differences in farm size, suggesting that agroforestry can provide stable production outcomes across varying landholdings.
Key findings include:
- Average corn productivity in agroforestry: 4,200 kg/ha
- Average productivity in monoculture systems: 3,600 kg/ha
- Increase in productivity: 16.7%
- Average farmer income under agroforestry: Rp12,600,000 per hectare
- Average income under monoculture: Rp9,800,000 per hectare
- Income increase: 28.6%
- R/C Ratio for agroforestry: 3.33
The researchers attribute the higher yields partly to the ecological benefits provided by trees within agroforestry systems. Certain tree species can improve soil fertility, enhance nutrient cycling, maintain soil moisture, and reduce environmental stress on crops.
Earlier international studies have similarly reported yield increases of 7–20 percent in maize cultivated within agroforestry systems.
Farmers Earn Nearly 30 Percent More
Beyond higher crop production, agroforestry also generated considerable economic benefits.
Farmers practicing agroforestry earned an average income of Rp12.6 million per hectare, while farmers relying on monoculture systems earned approximately Rp9.8 million per hectare. The difference represents an income increase of 28.6 percent.
According to the study, diversified production and improved cost efficiency were major contributors to this income growth.
The economic feasibility assessment further demonstrated that agroforestry is financially sustainable. Both farming systems recorded an R/C ratio greater than one, indicating profitability. However, agroforestry provided additional advantages by offering multiple sources of production and enhancing long-term sustainability.
As Fitriadi, A. Murniati, and Islawati from STIP Yapi Bone and Universitas Muhammadiyah Bone noted in their publication, agroforestry "not only provides additional income but also strengthens food security, diversifies outputs, and supports ecological sustainability."
Implications for Agricultural Policy
The findings carry important implications for policymakers, agricultural extension agencies, and rural development programs.
The researchers recommend that local governments expand support for agroforestry adoption through farmer training, extension services, and input subsidies. Such measures could accelerate the transition toward more sustainable farming systems.
Improving market access is another critical priority. Stable and broader market networks for both corn and agroforestry products would help farmers secure better prices and reduce their vulnerability to local market fluctuations.
The study also highlights the importance of human resource development. Farmers need greater access to training in farm management, cultivation technologies, and value-added processing to maximize economic returns from agroforestry systems.
Further research examining the environmental impacts of agroforestry—including soil conservation, water management, and biodiversity protection—would strengthen the scientific basis for wider implementation across Indonesia.
As concerns over climate resilience and food security continue to grow, the evidence from Bone Regency suggests that agroforestry may play a central role in shaping the future of sustainable agriculture in Indonesia.
Author Profiles
Fitriadi, M.P. is a researcher and lecturer at Sekolah Tinggi Ilmu Pertanian Yapi Bone, specializing in agribusiness, sustainable agriculture, and rural development.
A. Murniati, M.P. is an academic at Universitas Muhammadiyah Bone whose expertise focuses on agricultural economics and agribusiness development.
Islawati, M.P. is a lecturer at Sekolah Tinggi Ilmu Pertanian Yapi Bone, with research interests in agricultural cultivation systems and farmer empowerment.
Source
Article Title: Quantitative Analysis of Yellow Corn Productivity in Agroforestry Systems and Its Impact on Farmers' Income in Taccipi Village, Bone Regency
Journal: International Journal of Asian Business and Development (Metropolis)
Year: 2026
URL: https://journalmetropolis.my.id/index.php/metropolis/index
DOI: https://doi.org/10.55927/metropolis.v2i1.7
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