The implementation of new agricultural technologies is considered a key component of Malawi’s agricul- tural development strategy. However, successful technology adoption has proven to be difficult, affecting both farmers and small businesses introducing the technology. With a primary focus on farmers interested in adopting the technology, common factors influencing farmers’ adoption habits are determined by con- ducting interviews and observations. Survey results indicate that from a farmers perspective; market ac- cess, information access, education, and affordability are key factors helping facilitate adoption, while lack of these factors hinder adoption. Insight into these factors could provide business knowledge on how to better facilitate technology adoption. For this purpose, literature factors affecting a SME’s success are compared with an active agricultural technology company. These factors include experience, communication, man- agement and technology performance. Using both farmers needs and business developmental factors, this study hopes to provide insights for new companies starting a business in a developing country.

The abundant presence of nitrogen in natural waters can be a threat to both humans and environment. Therefore, municipal and industrial wastewater streams need to be treated before their disposal in the environment. Currently used biological and physical-chemical treatment methods have drawbacks such as high greenhouse gas emissions, high energy use and high use of chemicals. This research used bipolar membrane electrodialysis (BPMED) as a technology for the removal of ammonium sulfate from industrial wastewaters with extreme characteristics. The industrial stripper/scrubber system removing nitrogen from industrial waters creates an ammonium sulfate rich water stream with a pH of 2, a temperature of 70 degrees Celsius and concentrations up to 250 g/L. The study investigated the influence of a low pH, high concentration and high temperature on the removal of ammonium and sulfate from wastewater and in situ generation of sulfuric acid and production of ammonium hydroxide. Key performance parameters to measure the influence of these extreme conditions were the efficiency of nitrogen removal in the form of ammonium current efficiency and ammonium removal efficiency}) and sulfate removal removal efficiency. Other key performance parameters of interest were the consumed energy for this removal in the form of electrochemical energy consumption, the purity of the generated acid and base and the final ammonium concentration in the base and the sulfate concentration in the acid. Model wastewater with a pH between 2 and 10, a concentration between 50 - 250 g/L ammonium sulfate and with a temperature between 20 degrees Celsius and 40 degrees Celsius was treated with BPMED. The influence of pH, concentration and temperature was researched independently in experiments of 180 minutes, after which the removal efficiency and the quality of the produced acid and base were assessed.