By: Vivek Thapar, Founder of Green Vision Eco
Real-world impact starts on the ground. To create lasting change, we must deeply understand the land, the trees, and the communities we work with. I’m Vivek Thapar, founder of Green Vision Eco, and this is the story of my nine-week immersion in Vietnam—where I explored the potential of the Paulownia tree and the farmers who nurture it.
Stepping into Vietnam: A Learning Expedition
To scale Green Vision Eco’s impact, I traveled to Vietnam for a nine-week field journey. The country’s rich biodiversity, deep-rooted traditions, and agricultural resilience made it an ideal learning ground. This was not just a business visit. It was a hands-on immersion into the ecosystems we aim to regenerate.
Vietnam offered the perfect environment to study the full lifecycle of the Paulownia tree. This fast-growing, carbon-absorbing species plays a central role in our afforestation mission.
Living the Land, Learning from the Roots
I spent time across multiple rural plantations, observing how Paulownia saplings establish and thrive. I worked closely with our research team and local farmers. Together, we blended traditional farming knowledge with modern regenerative practices.
We studied every growth stage—from planting techniques and nutrient needs to sunlight exposure and irrigation patterns. Within weeks, I saw nature’s strength firsthand. Saplings that once reached my knees had already grown taller, fuller, and stronger.
Training with Experts and Local Wisdom
Collaboration sits at the heart of Green Vision Eco. In Vietnam, that value came alive. I trained with leading agroforestry researchers who specialize in sustainable land use and biomass science. Their expertise helped refine our afforestation protocols.
We identified soil compositions that support optimal growth. We explored natural land enrichment methods. We also learned how Paulownia trees can grow alongside crops to increase both land efficiency and farmer income.
Equally valuable were conversations with village elders and farming families. Their generational wisdom highlighted a clear truth: scalable afforestation must protect biodiversity while empowering local communities.
Utilizing the Whole Tree: Circular Sustainability in Action
Paulownia stands out for its versatility. I explored how each part of the tree creates both ecological and economic value. Together, we developed farmer training modules focused on full utilization:
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Leaves for nutrient-rich compost or animal feed, reducing reliance on synthetic inputs
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Trunks for biomass and bio-pellet production, offering clean energy solutions
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Branches and fallen foliage to improve soil fertility and support micro-irrigation
These modules will become part of Green Vision Eco’s farmer programs. Our goal is simple: help farmers grow trees—and grow stronger livelihoods.
Planting Seeds of Trust and Vision
One of the most meaningful moments came while planting Paulownia saplings alongside farmers. Each tree symbolized trust, partnership, and shared responsibility for the future.
Seeing local youth take pride in the process filled me with hope. Climate action works best when communities lead the mission.
Bringing It Home: A Roadmap Forward
This journey reshaped how we operate and scale globally. We refined composting methods, improved irrigation designs, and strengthened our approach to cultural collaboration and data collection.
As we work toward planting one million trees, Vietnam becomes part of Green Vision Eco’s DNA. It reminds us that regeneration doesn’t start in boardrooms. It begins in fields, forests, and friendships.
Let’s keep planting hope
More stories from the field, technology updates, and community voices are coming soon.
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