I was born into a farming family in a small flower-growing village in northern Vietnam. My childhood was filled with the scent of soil and the rhythm of planting seasons. But behind those peaceful images was the constant uncertainty of agriculture, such as unpredictable weather, fluctuating prices, and limited access to markets. I grew up watching my parents work tirelessly, yet often seeing their efforts undervalued. That reality planted a question deep inside me: Could farming be both sustainable and rewarding?
After graduating from my university, I changed my career path and stepped into a very different world, Vietnam’s fast-growing startup ecosystem. For more than four years, I worked alongside inspiring founders who used technology to tackle everyday problems. The energy, creativity, and resilience of that environment shaped me. It also made me realize that innovation shouldn’t be limited to urban tech spaces; it could transform traditional sectors like agriculture, too.
That’s how Green Beli was born. Together with my teammates, I wanted to find a way to help smallholder farmers improve their livelihoods while connecting them directly with consumers who care about where their food comes from. Our answer was a simple but meaningful idea: “Adopt a Tree” model.
🌳 How the “Adopt a Tree” model works
With just 50 euros, anyone can adopt a fruit tree for three years. The sponsor supports a local farmer who grows the tree using eco-friendly methods to reduce chemicals and promote biodiversity. In return, each sponsor receives 10 to 30 kilograms of fresh fruit per year from their adopted tree.
During our first pilot in December 2023 at Green Beli Farm, 25 trees were adopted, mostly avocado, orange, and durian. From the very beginning, we made a promise to our supporters: they will receive a total amount of fruits worth no less than their initial adoption cost, a message we believe is strong enough to encourage them to join our model.
This model ensures fairness and trust, where both the farmers and the customers benefit. The farmers gain stability and motivation to practice sustainable farming, while customers enjoy healthy produce and the joy of knowing exactly where it comes from.
🍊 What our adopters receive
Every year, they enjoy fresh produce delivered, not only from their adopted tree, but also from other trees and along with lucky gifts lovingly prepared by local farmers. Each tree carries a personalized name tag and comes with an official adoption certificate to recognize its contribution. For those who wish to experience more, we also offer agritourism opportunities – a chance to visit their tree in person, meet the farmers and discover the beauty of rural life in Vietnam firsthand. These small touches create an emotional bond between the supporters and the people growing their food, turning simple consumption into meaningful collaboration.
🌱 Looking ahead
For now, Green Beli focuses on Vietnamese customers to strengthen our foundation and community. But our vision reaches beyond borders. In the near future, we plan to integrate blockchain technology to make the model transparent and accessible globally, allowing anyone, anywhere to adopt a tree, follow its growth online and witness its impact on both farmers and the environment.
Overall, every tree we plant carries more than fruit, it carries a story of care, connection and hope. When we plant a tree, we plant a future – one that grows stronger when we grow it together. 🌿
Written by Quynh Le – EMMIE Cohort 3
Eco friendly initiative.