What is aQysta?
aQysta is a high-tech startup born out of Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands back in 2013. At its core, it’s all about bringing sustainable, hydro-powered irrigation solutions to the agriculture sector—without relying on fuel. The company’s flagship innovation, the Barsha Pump, is an award-winning device that taps into flowing water to pump irrigation water, making farming more eco-friendly and affordable. With offices in Nepal, India, Malawi, and the Netherlands, aQysta bridges the gap between smallholder farmers and markets by combining technology, knowledge, and community engagement.
Main Benefits of aQysta
Here’s what makes aQysta stand out:
- Quality Assurance: Farmers receive hands-on training in quality management, with strict testing protocols and cutting-edge digital and hardware tech ensuring products meet industry standards.
- Traceability: Every farmer and plot is digitally mapped, tracking product movement through the entire value chain, including transparent pricing for farmers.
- Sustainability: Climate-resilient technologies and education promote organic farming, agroforestry, and renewable energy use, all while upholding social and environmental standards.
- Global Reach: Offices in Nepal, Malawi, India, and Europe ensure local presence and understanding of international quality standards.
- Innovative Tech: From hydropowered pumps to solar dryers and biochar, aQysta equips farmers with affordable tools that reduce losses and boost resilience.
Innovations Driving Sustainable Farming
aQysta’s innovations are more than just gadgets—they’re game changers for smallholder farmers. The Barsha Pump, for example, harnesses the power of flowing water to provide irrigation without fuel or electricity. This means lower costs and a smaller carbon footprint. Plus, solar dryers and biochar technologies help reduce post-harvest losses and improve soil health. These innovations don’t just support farming—they help make it profitable and sustainable for generations to come.
Connecting Farmers to Markets
One of the biggest hurdles smallholder farmers face is access to reliable markets. aQysta tackles this head-on by working directly with farmers in Nepal, Malawi, and India, embedded in their communities. The company trains farmers to meet European quality standards, ensuring their produce can compete globally. By digitally mapping farmers and tracking products, aQysta creates transparency and trust throughout the supply chain, helping farmers get fair prices and stable demand.
The Story Behind aQysta
Founded in 2013 at Delft University of Technology, aQysta’s journey began with a focus on renewable irrigation tech. Its CEO and co-founder, Pratap Thapa, grew up in a smallholder farming family in Nepal, witnessing firsthand the struggles farmers endure. This personal connection fuels the company’s mission to empower farmers with better access to markets, capital, knowledge, and renewable energy technologies. Over the years, aQysta has evolved from developing the Barsha Pump to offering end-to-end agricultural solutions, including solar energy and certified value chains.
Project Impact and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- SDG 2: Zero Hunger – Enhancing food security by supporting smallholder farmers with sustainable irrigation and quality produce.
- SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation – Promoting water-efficient irrigation technologies that reduce water waste.
- SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy – Providing renewable energy solutions like hydropowered pumps and solar dryers.
- SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – Creating fair market access and improving livelihoods for farmers.
- SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – Encouraging organic farming and sustainable supply chains.
- SDG 13: Climate Action – Building climate resilience through agroforestry and renewable technologies.
Looking Ahead: aQysta’s Vision
With a strong foundation in technology and community, aQysta is on a mission to sustainably provide water for farming worldwide. By reinvesting profits back into the business, the company continues to grow and innovate, aiming to empower more smallholder farmers and expand its impact. The journey from a university prototype to a global player shows how smart tech combined with local knowledge can transform agriculture—and maybe, just maybe, change the world one pump at a time.
