Gedarif State Research Articles

Factors influencing water strategy objectives fulfillment: A survey findings from Sudan

AbstractChallenges faced by countries in their struggle for economic and social development are increasingly related to water. Developing and managing water resources requires an appropriate water strategy. However, many factors influence the achievement of desired goals of water strategies. This qualitative study analyzes factors influencing water strategies to promote appropriate water management. Data was collected during 2019 from 10 states of North Kurdufan, White Nile, Gezira, Sennar, Gedarif, Khartoum, Kassala, Red Sea, River Nile, and Northern state in Sudan. A total of 300 people including water officials, water supply engineers, and community leaders were interviewed. Water availability, community participation, coordination between water institutions, integrated water resources management (IWRM), and finance were identified as factors influencing water strategy objectives fulfillment. Out of 300 respondents in all states, a group of 149 (49.7%), mentioned that water strategy objectives were fulfilled and more than half of the respondents 151 (50.3%) evaluated that water strategy objectives were not fulfilled. A multiple regression statistically significantly predicted water strategy objective achievement, F (5, 295) = 57.6314 p < .005, R = .704. R2 = .485, from water availability, coordination between water‐related institutions, IRWM, and availability of finance. Results show that community participation, water availability, coordination between water‐related institutions, and availability of finance are insignificantly (p > .005) influenced water strategy objective fulfillment. The findings will contribute to the social dimension of water resources management and development.

Infection of Leishmania donovani in Phlebotomus orientalis Sand Flies at Different Microhabitats of a Kala-Azar Endemic Village in Eastern Sudan.

A study was carried out to compare the infection rates of Leishmania donovani in Phlebotomus orientalis sandflies at different microhabitats of a VL endemic village in Gedarif state, Sudan. DNA extracts of 1078 P. orientalis sand fly females sampled by CDC light traps from indoor, outdoor, peri-domestic, and sylvatic sites, in three transmission seasons, March-June 2016-18, in Helat-Belo village, were subjected to independent PCR amplifications targeting Leishmania kDNA and the cpb gene followed by ITS1 region sequencing. Leishmania kDNA was detected in 1.4% of the 1078 P. orientalis females captured in the area. Two of these specimens showed a characteristic 741 bp band of L. donovani after cpb gene amplification. The DNA sequence of the ITS1 region of the parasites matched the ITS1 L. donovani genotype F. There were no signficant differences between rates of infection of L. donovani in P. orientalis captured at different sites. Blood meals found in infected flies origninated from human (5 specimens), cattle (4 specimens) and donkey (2 specimens). The finding of fresh cow and donkey blood in the infected flies suggests the possible role of these animals in the zoopotentiation and/or zooprophylaxis against VL. The study provides important information for VL transmission models and control programs in East Africa.

Effects of Artisan Mining on Soil Degradation and Contamination in Gedarif state (eastern Sudan)

Effects of Artisan Mining on Soil Degradation and Contamination in Gedarif state (eastern Sudan)

Inhabitant perception on the effects of Artisan Mining on Rangelands in Gedarif state (eastern Sudan)

Inhabitant perception on the effects of Artisan Mining on Rangelands in Gedarif state (eastern Sudan)

Host preference and human blood index of Phlebotomus orientalis, an exophilic sand fly vector of visceral leishmaniasis in eastern Sudan.

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL, kala azar), caused by Leishmania donovani, transmitted by Phlebotomus orientalis, is a serious systemic disease that causes high morbidity and mortality rates in Sudan and other parts of East Africa and the world. Despite progress in understanding the epidemiology of the disease in East Africa, little is known about the host preference of P. orientalis in kala azar endemic villages of Sudan, which have some of the highest VL incidence rates in the world. The present study used host choice experiments and blood-meal identification approaches to determine the host preference of P. orientalis in kala azar endemic villages in Gedarif state, eastern Sudan. In the host choice experiment, tent traps were used to compare the attractiveness of cows, donkeys, sheep and goats for host-seeking P. orientalis. In the blood-meal identification study, blood-fed P. orientalis females, captured inside houses and peri-domestic habitats, were subjected to molecular typing using cytochrome b gene (cyt b) amplification and sequence analysis. Cows and donkeys were the most attractive to blood-seeking P. orientalis, followed by goats. Similarly, the blood-meal analysis of P. orientalis showed that the vector preferentially feeds on cows, followed by donkeys, humans and goats. The human blood index of P. orientalis was 19.4% (42/216), indicating a high zoophilic habit of the vector, both inside and outside the houses. Although the order of host preference varied by location, it was clear that cows are the most preferred host of P. orientalis in the area. Results are discussed in relation to the role of domestic/livestock animals in VL zoopotentiation and zooprophylaxis. Inference is made on the potential impact of insecticide treatment of cows in control of the vector and the transmission of VL in Sudan and other parts of East Africa.

Production Potential and Some Agronomic Practices of Bambara Groundnut (Vigna subterrenea L). Verdc) Under Rainfed Conditions of South Gedarif Area

Field experiments were executed for two successive seasons(2009 and 2010), at the southern area of Gedarif State with the objectiveof studying the influence of sowing date and population density on theproductivity of a land race Bambara groundnut. Four sowing dates, viz.,27th of June, 9th, 19th and 27th of July and five combinations of inter-row*intra-row spacings, 40cmx30cm, 40x20, 30x30, 30x20 and 20x20,were used during both seasons. The data recorded in both seasons wereplant height, canopy width, 100 seed weight, shelling % and pod yieldton/ha. Results revealed highly significant differences in most ofmeasured parameters with respect to sowing date. Early sowing resultedin a significantly higher pod yield (4.3 ton/ha) when compared to latesowings (i.e. 2.3, 1.3 and 0.94 ton/ha for 9th, 19th and 27th of July,respectively). Variable plant spacing significantly affected pod yieldduring the first season, while no significant variation was observed duringthe second season. Nevertheless, higher yields were obtained with widerspacings. Accordingly, the early sowing from late June to early July issuggested as optimum sowing date for Bambara groundnut with row-cropspacings of 40-30cm inter-row and 30-20cm intra-row for the rain fedconditions of south Gedarif area.

Effect of Some Tillage Systems on Surface Runoff and Soil Erosion in Northern Gedarif Area, Sudan

A study was carried out for three consecutive seasons (2005/06, 2006/07 and 2007/08) under rain- fed condition, to investigate the effectof some tillage systems on surface runoff and soil erosion in northernGedarif. The study was conducted at the pilot farm of the Faculty ofAgricultural Sciences and Environment, University of Gedarif ,in thenorthern area of Gedarif State ( Latitude 12° 45′ N, Longitude 35° 15′ Eand 540 m above sea level ). The experimental design was randomizedcomplete block with three replications. Treatment were three tillagesystems: No tillage or zero tillage (ZT), offset disc as post harvest tillage(PHT) and wide level disc, farmers practices as control ( WLD ). Raingauge was used to measure the rainfall, whilst the surface runoff and soillosses were measured using runoff plot technique. Total recorded annualrainfall was 368.1mm (2005), 463.6 mm (2006) and 495.2 mm (2007)which was spread over 32, 30 and 32 rainy days during the first , secondand third growing seasons, respectively. The results showed that thesecond season had the best distribution and satisfaction pattern. Itrecorded 15 %, 36 %, 26 % and 5 % for July, August, September andOctober, respectively, compared to 24 % ,53 % 13 % and 2 % ; and 29% ,41 % , 21 % and 1 % for first and third seasons in the same months.Zero tillage treatment showed more runoff and soil loss than PHT andWLD. In terms of accumulation, ZT produced more runoff by 28 % and 9% and soil loss by 53 % and 28 % over PHT and WLD respectively forfirst season ,30 % and 13 % runoff and 28 % and 13 % soil loss for thesecond season and 55 % and 23 % runoff and 105 % and 24 % soil lossfor third season . The post harvest tillage reduced average annual runoffand soil loss to the lowest values compared to the Wide level disk andZ T.

Blood meal profile and positivity rate with malaria parasites among different malaria vectors in Sudan

BackgroundMalaria is a life-threatening public health problem globally with particularly heavy burden in the sub-Saharan Africa including Sudan. The understanding of feeding preference of malaria vectors on different hosts is a major challenge for hindering the transmission cycle of malaria. In this study, blood meals taken by blood-fed Anopheles mosquitoes collected from the field in malaria endemic areas of Sudan were analysed for source of blood meal and malaria parasite presence.MethodsAnopheles mosquitoes were collected from different regions in Sudan: Khartoum state, Sennar state, Northern state, and El Gedarif state between September 2020 and February 2021. Anopheles mosquitoes were collected using the standard pyrethrum spray catch and back-pack aspirator. Mosquito samples were sorted and morphologically identified to species level using international identification keys. Morphologically identified mosquito species were also confirmed using PCR. Genomic DNA was extracted from mosquitoes for molecular identification of blood meal source and parasite detection. The presence of Plasmodium species DNA in each mosquito sample was investigated using semi-nested PCR. Frequency of each blood meal source, Anopheles mosquito vector, and malaria parasite detected was calculated. Positivity rate of each fed female Anopheles mosquito was calculated for each species.ResultsA total of 2132 Anopheles mosquitoes were collected. 571 (26.8%) were males and 1561 (73.2%) were females classified based on their abdominal status into 1048 (67.1%) gravid, 274 (17.6%) fed, and 239 (15.3%) unfed females. Among the blood fed Anopheles mosquitoes, 263 (96.0%) were morphologically identified and confirmed using PCR to Anopheles arabiensis, 9 (3.3%) to Anopheles stephensi, and 2 (0.7%) to Anopheles rufipes. Of 274 blood-fed An. arabiensis, 68 (25.9%) fed on mixed blood meals from human and cattle, 8 (3.0%) fed on cattle and goat, and 13 (4.8%) fed on human, cattle and goat. For single blood meal sources, 70 (26.6%) fed on human, 95 (36.1%) fed on cattle, 8 (3.0%) fed on goat, and 1 (0.4%) fed on dog. While An. rufipes and An. stephensi fed on dog (2; 0.75%) and cattle (9; 3.3%), respectively. Plasmodium parasite detection in the blood meals showed that 25/274 (9.1%) An. arabiensis meals were positive for Plasmodium vivax and 19/274 (6.9%) An. arabiensis meals were positive for Plasmodium falciparum. The rate of positivity of An. arabiensis with any Plasmodium species was 16.7%. However, the positivity rate with P. falciparum only was 7.2%, while P. vivax was 9.5%. Both An. rufipes and An. stephensi were having positivity rates of 0.0% each.ConclusionsThis study which was mainly on blood-fed Anopheles mosquitoes showed a diversity in the type of diet from human, cattle, and goat. Anopheles mosquitoes especially An. arabiensis in Sudan, are opportunistic blood feeders and can feed broadly on both human and cattle. The application of blood meal identification is not only important in malaria vector epidemiological surveillance but also is very useful in areas where arthropods exhibit zoophilic feeding behaviour for mammals.

Farmers Adoption of Agricultural Mechanization in Rainfed Sector, Gedarif State, Sudan

Farmers Adoption of Agricultural Mechanization in Rainfed Sector, Gedarif State, Sudan

Mineral chemistry and petrology of mantle peridotites from the Qala En Nahal-Umm Saqata ophiolite, Gedarif State, Sudan

The study area of this research some 70 km southwest of Gedarif city, Gedarif State, in eastern Sudan. With a geological position, it is located within two major lithological associations, representing two different crustal entities: Saharan Metacraton (SMC) in the west and the Arabian Nubian Shield (ANS) to the east. The main objective of the study is a petrological investigation of the mantle peridotites within Qala En Nahal-Umm Saqata area. The relatively large-scale exposed masses of mantle’s peridotite, include mainly the Utash mass and the Umm Saqata mass in the south and the Qala en Nahal mass and the Fau mass in the north of the area. Petrographically, they are mostly serpentinite. They have low-contents of Al2O3, CaO, TiO2O, MgO, Na2O and K2O, all consistent with depleted mantle materials, and similar to the metamorphic peridotites. The analyzed serpentine minerals are mainly pseudomorphic serpentines with subordinate antigorite, which may suggest that the parent minerals were first retrogressed to form lizardite and chrysotile. Subsequently, progressive metamorphism has recrystallized these minerals into antigorite. The chromites from the study area have high Cr# (Cr# varies from 0.51 to 0.87), most probably representing the primary phase which is similar to chromian spinels in mantle-derived peridotites. The presence of podiform chromites in the studied serpentinites is e typical of supra-subduction ophiolites, with Cr# similar to those of forearc ophiolites and boninite-derived chromites. Qala En Nahal-Umm Saqata mantle peridotites were formed in a forearc setting, during the subduction initiation that developed as a result of southeastward-dipping subduction zone. They possibly represent ensimatic, thrusted material, after the collision of the Nubian-Arabian Shield with the older sialic continental Saharan Metacraton during the late Proterozoic, Pan-African tectono-thermal event. These investigations were carried out supported by the Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), Moscow, Russia and the Faculty of Petroleum and Minerals, Al Neelain University, Sudan. The publication has been prepared with the support of the «RUDN University Program 5–100». To all we express our thanks and appreciations.

English

The study aimed to investigate the effect of the application of different concentrations of Methyl Jasmonate (JA-Me) on yield and quality of gum in Hashab (Acacia senegal) trees. Moreover, also studied the anatomy of the treated trees, and characteristics of gums produced. The study was carried out in two locations, Gedarif State (high rainfall area-clay soil) and North Kordofan State (low rainfall area- sand soil) in eastern and western Sudan respectively. JA-Me was applied at three different concentrations (50, 100 and 150 mg/L) as foliar spray and covered with plastic bags for 4-16hours to allow the JA-Me to enter into the tissues. The results showed that a suitable concentration of JA-Me for maximum gum yield per tree was 100 mg\L. The gum ducts in A. senegal trees treated by JA-Mewas wider compared to those of untreated (control) trees and finally one large duct was formed, where gum appeared as drops on the bark of the tree. There was no effect of JA-Me (100 mg/L) application on gum shape and colour when compared to the untreated control. The gum produced was red coloured spherical nodules with high solubility in cold water. The significance of the study and its outcomes is very important to treat the trees in areas of gum Arabic trees which have less capability to produce gums due to climatic changes and drought occurred in the areas of Acacia belt in Sudan. The study focused on areas of high production affected by environmental changes. Key words: Sudan, gum Arabic, gum yield, natural hormones, gum duct, gummosis, Jasmonate.

The geological and structural controls of gold mineralization in Qala en Nahal-Um Sagata region, South Gedarif, Sudan

Relevance and purpose of the work. The study area is located in Gedarif state in Sudan. The ongoing work is aimed at solving fundamental problems of the geological structure of the Qala En Nahal-Um Saqata Ophiolitic Complex and applied tasks of mineral exploration. Detailed studies are being conducted for the first time in this area. The purpose of the investigation is to study the geological and structural features of the region, as well as to obtain information about the localization of gold mineralization. Methods of research. Within the study area, a geological mapping of the ophiolitic complex was carried out. It’s included an analysis of structural elements for investigation of the structural evolution and the phases of deformation. Chemical analysis of the mineralized quartz veins to determine the gold was carried out by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS) technique at the ALS Laboratory in Saudi Arabia. Results of the work. The investigation of the structural evolution revealed at least three phases of deformation. The gold mineralization occurs in auriferous quartz veins, which are hosted in metavocano-sedimentary, sheared synorogenic granites and listvenites. The auriferous quartz veins are structurally controlled by dominantly NE main shear directions. Conclusions. The gold mineralization in the area can be classified shear zone related mineralization, which is formed during the final event accomplished by crustal cooling, and formation of auriferous quartz vein along shear zones. Gold concentration were recorded in both quartz veins and associates alteration rocks. The area is promising for the presence of a gold deposit.

Understanding sand fly sampling methods: sticky traps are attraction-based and not interceptive sampling tools of Phlebotomus orientalis

BackgroundSticky traps are generally viewed as interceptive sand fly sampling methods; although no previous experimental evidence has supported this assumption. In this study, we tested this assumption experimentally for Phlebotomus orientalis, the principal vector of visceral leishmaniasis in East Africa, and propose an explanation for the highly male-biased collection of sticky traps.MethodsA number of field experiments were carried out in March–June 2016–2019, in Gedarif state, eastern Sudan. In the first experiment, we compared numbers of P. orientalis caught on sticky traps made of black, red, transparent, white, yellow, green and blue A4 size papers set simultaneously at different lunar light conditions. In the second and third experiments, we compared numbers of P. orientalis captured on sticky traps placed side-by-side horizontally or vertically on the ground, or horizontally on a 15 cm height stool. We also witnessed mating behaviour of sand flies following their landing on un-sticky papers placed on the ground.ResultsPhlebotomus orientalis showed significant attraction to white, yellow and transparent traps, with negligible numbers caught on the black and the red traps. Similarly, significantly higher numbers of P. orientalis were attracted to the horizontal traps, resulting in an 8-fold increase in sand fly trapping efficacy as compared to the vertical traps. Placing the traps on the stools resulted in significant reduction in this attraction. In contrast to the sticky traps that captured only very few females; we found that when male sand flies land on un-sticky white paper they successfully lure females and copulate with them.ConclusionsWe demonstrate that, for P. orientalis, sticky traps are more attractant-based than interception-based sampling tools. Further, our findings support the notion that males of this sand fly species likely utilize the bright surface of the trap papers to perform mating rituals that attract the females for copulation. However, pre-mature death in the sticky oil hampers the completion of these rituals, and thus results in failure to attract the females. These findings inform our understanding of P. orientalis behaviour and have important implications for optimization of sticky trap design for vector surveillance purposes.

Piloting a trachomatous trichiasis patient case-searching approach in two localities of Sudan.

BackgroundApproximately 1.9 million people have become blind or visually impaired from trachoma, the leading cause of infectious blindness. Trachoma prevalence surveys conducted in Sudan have shown that thousands of Sudanese suffer from the advanced stages of the disease, trachomatous trichiasis (TT), and warrant sight-saving surgery. Sudan’s National Trachoma Control Program (NTCP) provides free TT surgery; however, given that many TT patients live in remote areas with limited access to health services, identifying patients and providing eye care services has proved challenging. For this reason, the Sudan NTCP piloted a systematic TT case-finding approach to identify patients.MethodsIn Gedarif state, 11 villages in Baladyat el Gedarif locality and 21 villages in West Galabat locality were included in a TT case-searching activity from September to November 2018. TT case finders were selected from the villages where the activity took place and were trained by ophthalmic medical assistants to identify possible patients.ResultsOf 66 626 villagers examined, 491 were identified as having TT by TT case finders. Of those, 369 were confirmed as true cases by the TT surgeons, a 75.2% (369/491) success rate.ConclusionsThe TT case-finding approach provides an example of an effective method for identifying TT patients and should be expanded to other parts of the country known to be endemic for trachoma.

Geochemistry and Geotectonic Setting of the Post-orogenic granites at Qala En Nahal-Um Sagata Area, Gedarif State, Sudan

The survey area is located about 70 km southeast of Gedarif city, in Gedarif State east of Sudan, within two major lithological associations, representing two different crustal entities; Saharan Metacraton (SMC) in the west and the Arabian Nubian Shield (ANS) to the east. This study aims to investigate the post-orogenic granites at Qala En Nahal-Um Sagata. Geologically, both the petrographic characteristics and rock geochemistry investigation have been conducted in order to determine the tectonic environment and original protolith of these granites rocks. The area is made up of predominantly low-grade volcano-sedimentary rocks, ophiolite complex and belt of high-grade metasediments and gneiss into which voluminous granitic rocks have been emplaced. The post-orogenic granites of Ban-Balos are non foliated, high K calc-alkaline, I-type, post-dating the main collisional event emplacement at shallow levels intrusions.

Use of ICT in agricultural extension services, Gedarif State, Sudan

This study investigates the use of ICT in agricultural extension services in Gedarif State, Sudan. A field survey was used to collect data from 94 extension officers in the State in 2016/2017 growing season using the full count method. The collected data were statistically analyzed and interpreted using percentage, frequency distribution and chi-square test. The descriptive statistics showed that the majority of the respondents 72.3% used the ICT in their extension services given to farmers and the majority of them 93.6% reported that there are many constraints facing the use of ICT in agricultural extension services in the State. Chi-square test revealed that there was no significant association between ICT and constraints facing the use of them in the delivery of agriculture extension services to the targeted audience in the State. Thus, the authors recommend that the extension officers and farmers should be trained in the use of ICT and the constraints facing the use of ICT in the agricultural extension services in the State should be solved in collaboration with all partner organizations.

How Expansion Of Public Services Affects The Poor:, Benefit Incidence Analysis For Gadarif State From Sudan

The study investigates whether the poor benefit more or less than the non-poor from an expansion in public services program in Gedarif State from eastern Sudan; and how government expenditure affects the welfare of different groups of people or individual households at the local level?. Using household survey data carried out in 2009; a sample of 40 clusters from the state was selected with 25 households from each selected cluster. The study followed the recommended standard World Bank methodologies by adopting a benefit incidence analysis techniques and tools to assess the impact of the water, electricity and health program on poverty and income distribution of population to identify the currant beneficiaries and the marginal benefit from increasing government expenditure, based on the geographical variation of localities in the state. A model proposed suggests that, an expansion of water and health programs would be decidedly pro-poor, while an expansion of electricity program would be pro-rich. Water and health programs displayed strong pro-poor and have a greater role for decreasing inequality and poverty in Gadarif State. This maximization appears to occur without policymakers taking into account distributional weights in their implicit social welfare function.

English

Reliable information on the starting and ending of growing season as well as its length will greatly assist in appropriate planning for rainfed agriculture farming practices. The objective of this study is to determine the start, end and length of growing season, based on dependable rainfall during wet (20%), normal (50%) and dry (80%) years, which were retrieved from historical rainfall records analysis of seven stations in Gedarif state for the period 1985 to 2014. The seven studied stations were categorized into two groups according to the total seasonal rainfall. During wet years, Group I had about 900 mm/year and Group II about 700-790 mm/year. In normal years, Group I had about 660-700 mm/year and Group II had 515-570 mm/year. During dry years, Group I had 490-550 mm/year and Group II had 350-425 mm/year. The results showed consistent trend of starting dates of the growing seasons; regardless of the high seasonal variability and variation in amount and distribution of rainfall among the stations and seasons. Similar results were obtained using the MODIS Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI) for three different years representing different probability levels (2013, dry; 2000, Normal; 2007, wet). Groups I and II in normal and wet years had 70 to 90% of the total annual rainfall during the growing season. In dry years, Group I had 70 to 80% of the total rainfall during the growing season, while Group II had only 50 to 65%. The two groups have indicated different seasonal characteristics (start of growth season, end of growth season and length of growth season) in the dry, normal and wet years. Length of the growth season increases with early start of the season and in wetter years. Key words: Season start, season end, sowing date, dry season, normal season, wet season. &nbsp

English

Rainfed agriculture is practiced in the central clay plains of Sudan and is affected by the high rainfall variability in time and space within and between seasons. This study focused on analyzing rainfall variability and trend using a 30-year record (1985-2014) of seven meteorological stations at the major agricultural production areas in Gedarif state in eastern Sudan. Yearly rainfall has relatively low variability compared to monthly variability. According to annual rainfall totals, it was possible to classify stations into two groups; one with annual rainfall more than 600 mm and the second with rainfall ranging between 500 to 600 mm. In both groups, the majority of rainfall (60%) occurred during July and August. Trends of rainfall were inconsistent and the cropping season extended from June to September. Farmers in areas having high rainfall and extended growing season (group I) could grow suitable crops and varieties and their appropriate management practices should be implemented. In areas of low rainfall and short growing seasons (group II), farmers could grow crops of short maturing varieties and water harvesting techniques. There is a need for research activities that examine rainfall trends and how agricultural practices might adapt accordingly. Key words: Rainfall, variability, trend, sorghum yield, Gedarif, Sudan.

Incidence of Leishmania Donovani Infection among Agropastoralists Tribes in Um-alkhare and Bazura Villages, Gedarif State, Eastern Sudan

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a life-threatening parasitic disease, transmitted by a sand fly. A survey aimed to estimate the VL incidence in Um-alkhare and Bazura villages located in endemic southern part of Gedaref State, Eastern Sudan, in the period among (March 2014-February 2015). This study conducted among Agro-pastoralists tribes in the two villages comparing the epidemiological and clinical spectrum of VL infection. One hundred seventy five (109 male and 66 females) clinical suspected for VL were examined in the two rural hospitals, their age range between (3-48 years old). Bone marrow (BM) and lymph node (LN) smears were aspirated for parasitological examination and the serum was tested by using rk39 for Leishmania donovani antibodies. Socio-demographic and other determinants governing VL were also studied. The incidence rate of visceral leishmaniasis from was 42.8/1,000 person per year,and 57.1% for the prevalence rate. Microscopic examination for VL was confirmed in 64 patients (49 males, 15 females) from BM and LN aspirate smears. rK39 test gave prevalence rate of 36.6% and 42.3% VL antibodies for BM and LN specimen respectively. Sensitivity and specificity for rK39 was determined to be 79% and 70%, respectively. Patient’s positive for microscopic tests showed clinical signs and symptoms such as, severe irregular fever, splenomegaly and LN enlargement. Hausa tribe has a highest VL infection (26.7%), followed by Masaleet (18.7%). Infection rate was reported to occur during October coinciding with high transmission season. It was also observed that prevailing Balantis trees, cracking soil and Leishmania reservoir have direct correlation with VL infection. Further genetic studies based on wide community survey are highly recommended to verify susceptibility of different agro-pastoralists tribes to VL infection.