The Director of CORDS, Ms. Lilian Looloitai, accompanied guests from three countries Liberia, Zimbabwe, and Sweden on a visit to Longido District. The purpose of the visit was to gain practical insights into effective land-use planning within pastoralist communities.

The guests arrived at the Longido District Council Office, where they were received by the Acting District Executive Director, Mr. Jacob Lyimo, along with experts from various sectors, including land, legal affairs, and community development. Through in-depth discussions, they gained an understanding of how Longido District implements and manages land-use plans while considering community needs and environmental conservation.

As part of their learning experience, the visitors toured Oltrepesi Village, where they met with villagers and witnessed firsthand the implementation of land-use plans at the grassroots level. They had the opportunity to hear directly from the villagers about the benefits of these plans, including reduced land conflicts, improved livestock activities, and strengthened community cohesion.

Speaking on behalf of the guests, one participant from Sweden expressed their appreciation for the warm reception and the willingness of the Longido community to collaborate in knowledge-sharing. “We have learned a great deal that we will take back home to strengthen our land-use policies and plans, especially for rural communities,” they said happily.

For its part, the Longido District Council leadership stated that the visit was a great honor and a testament to the visible successes in sustainable land-use planning.

“We believe international cooperation in learning and sharing experiences is a vital catalyst for the development of our communities,” said one of the council’s experts.

The visit left a positive impression on both sides, with the guests departing with new knowledge and the Longido community feeling encouraged by the exchange.