Plantation Training Center

The Plantation Training Center for Caretakers of Mariri and Chacrona began to take shape more than 15 years ago when UDV members bought land in the municipality of São João da Baliza in the state of Roraima.   At that time, the intention was to simply plant Mariri and Chacrona on the land which was named “Jose Gabriel”. They soon observed that there were native plants growing there and they began to prepare Hoasca Tea to atend to the UDV nucleos in Roraima who were also able to have their own plantations. 

>> Click here to access the Plantation Training Center site.

Prior to the land becoming the training center that we know today, there were several preparos and “Caianinho Experience” expeditions.  These were opportunities for the participants to learn to recognize Mariri and Chacrona in the forest and other plants of great importance to hoasqueira culture such as João Brandinho (Piper aleyreanum), the Samaúma tree (Ceiba pentandra) e the Carapanaúba tree (Aspidosperma nitidum) among others.

After years of work and dedication by the members, the Plantation Training Center for Caretakers of Mariri and Chacrona was inaugurated on November 10, 2010.  The objective of this project is to prepare UDV members to recognize the sacred plants and work with them in addition to learning agro-forestry techniques and being trained on how to safely go in and out of the forest. 

With infrastructure for hosting up to 200 people, the Center holds two courses each year exclusively for UDV members – Training Caretakers of Mariri and Chacrona and Caianinha Experiences.  The Center has already graduated more than 500 caretakers and held many preparos of Hoasca Tea with participation of members from all over the country.