The barley sector has sustained thousands of farmers for 30 years. For several months, barley producers have faced difficulties forcing them to reduce production. In Manandriana, several have cut their cultivated areas. "Previously, I cultivated 30 ares. Today, I'm forced to reduce my area to 10 ares, due to the drop in production we obtain as producers," says Andriamangazafy Mamy Rolland. He has grown barley in the off-season from rice for nearly 30 years. This sector, essential to the region's inhabitants, is going through a difficult period due to taxation. The progressive increase in excise duties on beer since 2024 has caused a contraction in orders and, consequently, a drop in barley prices. The Malagasy State initiated a general increase in excise duties on alcoholic beverages in 2024. A minimum surcharge of at least 100 ariary per liter was introduced. This year, in the initial budget law, fiscal pressure tightened with a floor amount of 850 ariary per liter for malt beer of 4° or less.

Worrying Situation

With the amended budget law, facing repeated alarm calls from industrialists and farmers' associations whose barley collection was declining, the government reversed course. The floor amount was reduced to 750 ariary per liter for malt beer of 4° or less. Despite this measure, the situation continues to concern producers. A large portion has abandoned this crop for other more profitable productions. According to collected data, between 2025 and this year, the number of producers fell from 20,000 to 15,000. The number of producers thus decreased by 5,000, a figure that could continue to decline. "What we fear, if the situation continues and we no longer have enough work, is that banditry acts that concern us so much, we rural farmers, will regain the upper hand in our region," continues Mamy Rolland Andriamangazafy.

Fenonantenaina Honoré Patrick, mayor of Anjoma Manandriana commune, confirms that "the inhabitants of the commune began growing barley in 1996, that is 30 years ago now. Today, 90% of the population lives from barley cultivation."

But this progressive decline in orders and consumption could have a direct impact on major producers. Alcoholic beverages represent one of the most stable indirect fiscal resources to fill the State's general budget.

Itamara Otton