The objective of this study was to assess the soil chemical quality, productivity, and biological and economic efficiency of different intercropping arrangements with cotton, cowpea, maize, and sesame in agroecological properties in the Brazilian semi-arid region. Soil samples were collected from 24 farms in the municipalities of Chor & oacute; (C), Massape (M), Quixada (Q) and Tau & aacute; (T), Ceara, Brazil, to assess soil chemical properties and in intercropping areas (IA). Among the chemical properties, the mean contents of potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) and available P, sum of bases (SB), cation exchange capacity (t), and base saturation (V) were higher in the IA in relation to natural vegetation (NV), in all municipalities and depths, thus greater potential for distinguishing the systems. However, due to family and health problems, only 16 farms out of the initial 24 managed their areas until harvest. On these 16 farms, crop yields and biological and economic efficiency indices were determined in the IA. The land equivalent ratio was higher than 1 in nine of the 16 farms. The intercropping of maize, cowpea and cotton allowed a 31% increase in cowpea yields when compared to cowpea monocrop. The highest monetary advantages were observed in the four rows of maize and cowpea, sown in the same hole and four rows of cotton (US$ 2,755.77 ha(-1)) and one row of cowpea and maize in alternate holes and three rows of cotton (US$ 7,014.24 ha(-1)) arrangements.