Hemp
In 2017 hemp cultivation was first legalized by Uttarakhand. Most farmers in Uttarakhand were struggling to make ends meet. They had given up cultivation as most of their crops were destroyed by animals like monkeys, birds, or due to weather forces. This led to farmers leaving their homes to work as laborers in cities, leading to a break up of their family life and social structure .
Hemp Foundation firmly believes that we can use this legalization to help impoverished farmers and artisans of Uttarakhand. We strive to improve the economic and social conditions of these farmers who have abandoned their homes and families in search of better opportunities.
And the answer to their problems lies in the legal cultivation of hemp. This is their golden chance to return to their homes, and restart their lives through sustainable and economically viable hemp farming.
Nothing sums up the Mission and Vision of Hemp Foundation more appropriately than this American Indian proverb, “We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children”. At Hemp Foundation, both our mission and vision are our singular promise and commitment –“To leave a better world for our children.”
Though we humans have existed for less than 1% of life on earth, our reckless consumption and fathomless greed have already ruined our planet. Global warming, water crisis, deforestation, pollution, and plastic waste are some grievous problems we are experiencing. These calamitous issues threaten to wipe out the human race from the face of the earth.
Unfortunately, we are truly the most destructive species on earth. Though we amount to only 0.01% of all living species on our planet, human beings have been responsible for the loss of 50% flora and 83% wild fauna on this lovely planet.
Vishal Vivek
CEO & Founder
Hemp Foundation
As you all are aware, global warming is causing the earth’s temperature to increase at alarming rates. The rate of temperature rise has increased by almost 200% in the last 5 decades. As a result of this rapid increase in temperature, our glaciers are melting, sea levels are rising, and weather patterns across the world are deteriorating rapidly.
Yes, the human race is racing towards self-destruction, and we may end up killing ourselves in the not so distant future.
The accelerated loss of glacial waters has resulted in an acute water crisis. By the time you are reading this, 21 Indian cities including Bengaluru, Delhi, and Chennai will be left devoid of groundwater. On the other hand, the rising seas shall cause a rise in water levels that may drown the cities near shores. As a result of deforestation, there is not enough vegetation left on the planet, leading to the rapid degeneration of fragile ecosystems. The extinction rate of flora and fauna has is currently at the highest rate. More animals and plants are on the verge of extinction than you can imagine!
Plastic pollution is threatening not just our land resources but water resources also. Our oceans are suffocated with plastics. Humans are facing the brunt of marine pollution as we consume marine organisms as a part of our food chain. Fossil emissions and carbon emissions cause acidification of our oceans. As a result of these emissions, scientists predict that our oceans may become 150% more acidic in the future.
We are blessed with the most beautiful as well as the most bountiful planet in the Solar System. The Almighty provided us everything that we need for our existence. But unfortunately, there is no end to our wants. The planet is not made to suffice to our limitless greed.
Sadly, the current condition of our planet is very grave. We are a disaster waiting to happen. We need to act now!
At Hemp Foundation we know that A Journey of a Thousand Miles Begins with a Single Step”. We’ve begun our journey towards improving the planet for future generations. Through these small steps, we hope to make small positive changes that may trickle-down to big reforms for mankind.
Hemp Foundation is committed to improving living conditions by promoting the growth of hemp and its diverse usages. Did you know that hemp has more than 25,000 special usages? Hemp promises to be the magical crop that can satiate human’s need for clothing, nutrition, packaging, and even housing; without hurting the sustenance of our planet.
How can hemp help us in our cause of sustainable development?
- Hemp can produce clothes that take up one-third of the total water consumed by cotton. Hemp clothing lasts longer than cotton and is a light-weight and more breathable.
- Hemp can be used to produce paper. Hemp paper can be made in 4 to 5 months; while production of conventional paper would need the cutting 20-year-old trees.
- Hemp seeds also offer high nutritional value through the high content of Omega 3, lanolin and linolenic acids. The consumption of these acids is believed to improve cardiovascular health.
- Hemp can also be used to biodegradable plastic. This unique bioplastic is not only toxin-free but also offers a long-term as well as an eco-friendly solution to reducing landfills.
- Hemp can also be used as industrial hemp concrete in building materials. It offers superior acoustic insulation, advanced density, and efficient thermal conductivity.
Hemp oil is non-toxic, environmentally friendly and can be used to make long-lasting oil paints, candles, and other oil-based products.
Hemp Revolutionaries
Our Founders
Vishal Vivek
Vishal Vivek, CEO, Serial Entrepreneur, B.Sc Physics (Dropout), 10+ Years of entrepreneurial experience in SEO, Content, Mobile and Web Technology. Featured in “I did It- Vol-2” by The Times Group among top 20 Indians to achieve great height despite extreme hardship.
Sandeep Kumar Tyagi
COO & Co-Founder, B.Tech Chemicals, Plastic Technology, HBTI, Kanpur University. Ex GM Polyproducts Nigeria Limited.
Priyanka Chauhan
Head of Exports & Co-Founder, BBA, Graphic Era University, Ex Consultant to Byjus, Extramarks.
Dr Bijay Shakar Gosh
Director of Research, Ph D (Calcutta University), PG Diploma in Microbiology (Osaka University, Japan), Ex-Project Coordinator & Senior Scientist, Indian Jute Industries Research Association (IJIRA)
Our Torchbearers
Er. B. P Singh IEDS
Asst. Director, Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises, Government of India, B.E (Elect), MBA (IB)
Dr. Rajiv Kumar
Former Chief Scientist & Head, Tata Chemicals Innovation Centre, Pune, India. Former Head, Catalysis Division, CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory, Pune, India
Dr. Avanish Kumar Shukla
M.Sc. Chemistry, M. Tech, Chemical Technology, & Ph. D Chemistry, Institute Harcourt Buttler Technical University, Kanpur. 14 research papers published.
Alok Nikhil Jha
Chief Operating Officer at IIITD Innovation & Incubation Center
Abhishek Kishore
Founder, Ank. Eminent Social Worker, 16 years of Experience in Social development, Expert in CSR laws, finance.
Awareness campaign for growing Industrial Hemp
Interacting with farmers and raising awareness about the cultivation of Industrial Hemp which can help boost the local economy of Uttrakhand, make barren and abandoned land arable. Right now the scenario is very bad. Most of the people have left their homes and migrated to already overpopulated big cities. The remaining population does not perform agricultural activities as animals and birds destroy their crops. The good news is that no animal destroys hemp plant as It is a weed and It requires minimum water and care. Uttrakhand has given Yoga and divinity to the world, now It is the time to recognize this God’s plant which can save the earth from Global warming, plastic pollution, water crisis and many more. #Hemprevolution
Empowering Women
At Ukhi, we believe that women are like the root of the tree. If you empower a woman, you empower the entire clan and that is the reason, we have taken this responsibility of empowering them in our own hemp way. We realize how hard their lives are. Men are mostly working in cities, children are growing without their fathers. How can we expect the next generation to be emotionally balanced citizens and this is the reason we want to generate jobs in these villages by making them aware that they can cultivate Industrial hemp legally. Now they don’t need to do it secretly. If these women want they can make India a global leader in hemp production. Sorry, they had to sit on carpets as It was a remote village and many chairs were not available but their position is always higher than us. #WomenEmpowerementinHempWay
Media Coverage
Though our Vishal Vivek, our Co-Founder is a shy person and believes in working at the grass-root level, The Times Group ( parent company of Times of India) published his biography in Its book “I Did It- Vol 2”. A workaholic by nature, he works almost 15 hours a day working. The book celebrates the struggle and perseverance of the people who used extreme hardships as stepping stones to their success and features household names like Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak- the founder of Sulabh International, Anshu Gupta- a Ramon Magsaysay Awardee, Vikas Khanna- An Indian Michelin star Chef, restaurateur, cookbook writer, filmmaker, and humanitarian, Dharmesh Yelande- Bollywood choreographer, Bharti Singh- A comedian and TV personality, etc. #HempFoundation
Interview
Interviewed by Sahana Udupa, the Ludwig Maximilian, #1 University in Germany for her book “Making News in Global India” published by Cambridge University Press.
Events