In Madagascar, cattle breeders at the Ivohitra market in Antsirabe are facing great tensions and a difficult economic situation. High prices and increasing inflation make selling their animals less and less attractive, while buying a new animal becomes more and more difficult. These breeders, far from being discouraged, have decided to make their voice heard during the presidential elections scheduled for November 16.
Many breeders have already abandoned their herds, affected by the political turbulence of 2009, 2018 and more recently the Covid-19 pandemic. On the Ivohitra market, there are a multitude of animals grouped together: zebus, recognizable by their erect horns and humps, but also bulls, cows and even pigs. Whether buyers or sellers, everyone agrees on one thing: prices are constantly rising.
Edmond, one of the largest livestock owners on the market, is surrounded by his 33 animals. He explains: “The price of the biggest zebu there is 1,700,000 ariarys. Before, it was between a million and 1.2 million ariarys. The costs of living have increased, and that’s the same goes for the price of livestock. While sellers like me can sometimes make a small profit, buyers are often forced to abandon their purchase.”
Janson, another vendor at the market, attracts attention with his bright orange t-shirt bearing the image of the outgoing president. He would like to point out that this t-shirt does not mean that he supports this candidate, but that it was given to him by a relative living in town during a free distribution. Still, Janson isn’t looking away from the upcoming presidential election. Faced with the increase in prices of basic foodstuffs for his animals and the growing insecurity in rural areas, he promises an angry vote.
“Livestock is suffering at the moment, the land has become dry and we almost lack water to feed our livestock! The government is doing nothing to support the breeders, on the contrary, we are being exploited. For example, we need to change the book of our cattle each year by paying between 12,000 and 15,000 ariarys, while a book should normally last five years!”, he exclaims.
Martial, meanwhile, carefully makes his way between the different groups of people, keeping a worried eye on his livestock. Newly a breeder, he explains: “I am still at the beginning of my activity. What I expect from the next president is that he will help the government to make us equal to other breeders and to professionalize us. as a citizen, I will fulfill my duty to vote.”
Many breeders have been forced to abandon their breeding, impacted by the political tumults and the pandemic.. Those who remain are now hoping for support commensurate with the importance of this industry in Madagascar, where cattle breeders represent more than a third of households.