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Impact of contour hedgerows on upland maize yields in the Philippines

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Abstract

An agricultural production function is used to examine the yield impacts of contour hedgerows constructed using double rows of the N2-fixing species Desmodium rensonii and Flemengia macrophylla. The analysis uses data from a sample of upland Philippine maize farms and controls for input use and plot characteristics. Results support a hypothesis that the long-run impact of hedgerows on maize yields is positive. However, results suggest that in the short run, hedgerows not only reduce area available for cultivation on a plot, but also reduce the performance of corn in the remaining alleys. For newly established hedgerows an increase in hedgerow area is associated with a reduction in maize yield. The time required for hedgerows to compensate for the area they occupy is found to be approximately eight years.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Agricultural Economics, Purdue University, 1145 Krannert Building, West Lafayette, JN, 47907-1145, USA

    G. E. Shively

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  1. G. E. Shively
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Shively, G.E. Impact of contour hedgerows on upland maize yields in the Philippines. Agroforestry Systems 39, 59–71 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1005964908403

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