Cattle with their ear tags at the zebu market in Ambalavao, Madagascar. 26 October 2022



In Madagascar, the average cost of a zebu is 750,000 MGA (around 170 USD). These cattle are primarily raised for meat production, with the first calf typically being born after three or four years of breeding. Zebus are well suited for pasture rearing, which is the most common method of raising them on the island, although some provinces practice stable fattening. These animals are slaughtered at around 6 to 12 years of age, when they weigh around 350 kilograms. In addition to being used for meat, zebu is also employed in the preparation of rice paddies, field aeration, and pulling carts and goods. Zebus hold significant cultural importance in Madagascar, being used as