Maria David
IN hot, dry places like the Oshana Region, rain is always welcome.
However, this natural occurrence occasionally causes problems and losses for both farmers and locals.
One such farmer, 68-year-old Ester Martin, lost a sizable amount of her livestock in the Oshana Region’s Eengala village due to a strong spell of the current season’s late rains.
Around Saturday, seven of Martin’s goats were killed by lightning.
She claimed that she currently has two school-age children who rely on the selling of the goats to support them.
“This is a big loss to my family and myself, as we depend on those small livestock for survival and helping our children,” she said. She added that one goat is sold for N$900 depending on it’s size.
Martin said that due to the devastating lightning strike, they are currently down to just eight goats.
Ministry of Agriculture spokesperson Jona Musheko said the lighting does not necessarily poison the animals.
It is safe for the family to consume the meat, he said.
However, Musheko indicated that the ministry cannot, comfortably, advise the public to consume meat from animals found dead regardless of the cause of death.
