Eharvoa

Eharvoa is a small rural municipality located in the central highlands of Madagascar. It lies within the district of Analamanga and is part of the Greater Antananarivo region. The town sits at an altitude of approximately 1,600 metres above sea level, surrounded by rolling grasslands and scattered patches of eucalyptus plantations.

According to the most recent census conducted in 2018, Eharvoa has an estimated population of around 6,500 inhabitants. The demographic composition is predominantly ethnic Merina, with a small presence of Betsileo and Betsimisaraka peoples. The official language is Malagasy, and French is used in administrative and educational contexts.

Eharvoa’s economy is largely based on subsistence agriculture. The main crops cultivated include rice, maize, beans, and sweet potatoes, grown on terraced fields along the valley floors. Livestock rearing, especially poultry and goats, supplements household incomes. In recent years the municipality has seen modest growth in small-scale trade, with local markets offering fresh produce, textiles, and artisanal goods.

The town is served by a primary school and a community health clinic. The nearest secondary education facility is located in the larger town of Antananarivo. Infrastructure developments in the past decade have included the construction of a gravel road connecting Eharvoa to the national highway system and the installation of a basic potable water supply network. Despite these improvements, many residents still rely on traditional water sources, such as communal taps and rainwater harvesting. The community regularly celebrates traditional Merina festivals, which include communal dancing, music performances, and the preparation of local dishes such as ravitoto and akoho sy ravintsara.