2025 Farmacia Viva Update
Over the past year, support from Chacruna’s Indigenous Reciprocity Initiative has enabled significant progress for Farmacia Viva Shipibo. In the past year, the Farmacia Viva committee has improved access to and protection of the Farmacia Viva conservation area, acquired important tools and equipment, and supported community food security and wellbeing.
This support has helped us take care of our forest, strengthen our community, and keep Farmacia Viva growing for future generations.
Territorial Protection and Monitoring
One of our priorities has been the demarcation of the entire territory of Paoyhan, so that companies and invaders around our communal lands will respect our boundaries, and to prevent illegal logging, thereby protecting our conservation area as well. Farmacia Viva also sponsored twenty-five community members in conducting territorial patrols to monitor the territory for land invasion and logging.
Additionally, Farmacia Viva committee cleared and demarcated the perimeter of the conservation area, establishing a clear boundary to protect it further from invasion and logging. This enables us to protect important medicinal species located in Farmacia Viva, including an endangered and valuable mahogany tree that we found this year.
Territorial Monitoring
We are using drones to monitor our territory for threats and invasion.
Site Access and Equipment
Improving site accessibility
We improved access to the site by purchasing a dedicated 9-meter wooden boat and motor as well as clearing the pathway from the river port to the conservation area.
Equipment
Purchasing a chainsaw and renting transport equipment allowed us to continue sustainable harvesting of wall and floor planks for ongoing construction of our new building, which will serve as the visitor’s center.
Community Wellbeing
Farmacia Viva also dedicated significant efforts to improving the food security and wellbeing of the community. At the Farmacia Viva site, we planted a communal maize field and provided meals to support community volunteers during our work days. We also installed a much-needed community water well in one of Paoyhan’s neighborhoods.
What’s Next?
Community planning meetings:
To mark the anniversary of Farmacia Viva, we organized a meeting with community authorities to discuss the progress and plans for the project. All members of the Farmacia Viva Committee agreed on our priorities for the next year.
In 2026 we aim to construct four new buildings at the Farmacia Viva Site:
Visitors center
Kitchen
Office and equipment storage
Natural medicines lab
