Maputo Bridge Capital
Maputo Bridge Capital
Agri-Fintech
BeginnerLand & Seed Management

MBC Quantum Farming Academy: Harvesting (Colheita) — Illustrated Guide

4 illustrated modules teaching harvest timing, grain drying and moisture testing, PICS bag storage ($8), and quality grading at collection hubs — for non-literate Mozambican farmers.

30 min Field Skills Maputo Bridge Capital
MBC Quantum Farming Academy: Harvesting (Colheita) — Illustrated Guide

Course at a Glance

Level
Beginner
Category
Land & Seed Management
Learning Track
Field Skills
Duration
30 minutes
Instructor
Maputo Bridge Capital
Cost
Free

MBC Quantum Farming Academy: Harvesting (Colheita)

4 modules. 24 illustrations. Harvest, dry, store, grade.

Module 1: Harvest Timing and Techniques

Illustration 1.1 — CONCEPT: When to Harvest?

  • Image: A maize plant showing color signals. Green plant = not ready. Yellow-green leaves = almost ready. Brown/dry leaves = READY. A calendar shows harvest season: dry season only.
  • Meaning: Harvest when plants are dry and brown. NOT when green.

Illustration 1.2 — RIGHT WAY: How to Harvest

  • Image: Farmer harvesting in DRY weather (sun icon). Two dry days before harvesting. Cutting stem with sickle, leaving roots in soil. Laying harvest on a clean tarp (not on bare ground). Calendar: harvest during dry season.
  • Green checkmark.
  • Meaning: Harvest in dry weather, cut stem, use clean tarp, dry season only.

Illustration 1.3 — WRONG WAY: Common Mistakes

  • Image: Three mistakes:
    • Harvesting during rain (grain gets wet, molds)
    • Harvesting too early (grain not mature, low yield)
    • Throwing harvest on bare ground (contamination, stones, dirt)
  • Red X.
  • Meaning: Don't harvest in rain. Don't harvest too early. Don't use bare ground.

Illustration 1.4 — STEP BY STEP: Harvest Process

  • Image: 4 panels:
    • Panel 1: Wait 2 dry days before starting
    • Panel 2: Check crop color — brown/dry = ready
    • Panel 3: Cut stems with sickle, leave roots in soil
    • Panel 4: Lay on clean tarp to dry, 3-5 days in sun
  • Meaning: Wait for dry, check color, cut, dry on tarp.

Illustration 1.5 — REAL FARM EXAMPLE

  • Image: Mozambican farmer (woman, 40) in Nampula harvesting sesame. She checked the weather (no rain for 3 days). She cuts stems with a sickle. Clean tarp on the ground. Her cooperative helps harvest together.
  • Meaning: This MBC farmer harvests during dry weather on a clean tarp.

Illustration 1.6 — QUICK CHECK

  • Image: Three maize plants. A: green and tall. B: yellow-green. C: brown and dry. Which is ready to harvest?
  • Meaning: C is ready — brown and dry.

Module 2: Grain Drying and Moisture Testing

Illustration 2.1 — CONCEPT: Why Dry Grain?

  • Image: Left: wet grain in a bag — mold grows, insects appear, grain rots. Right: dry grain in a bag — clean, no mold, stores for 12+ months. A moisture tester shows: wet = 20% (red), dry = 13% (green).
  • Meaning: Dry grain before storing. Wet grain rots. Dry grain lasts.

Illustration 2.2 — RIGHT WAY: How to Dry and Test

  • Image: Grain spread thin on a tarp in the sun. Farmer turning grain with a shovel every 2 hours (sun + clock icons). Moisture tester (small device) pressed into grain. Reading: 13% = SAFE. Bite test: grain is hard when dry.
  • Green checkmark.
  • Meaning: Spread thin, turn every 2 hours, test moisture, bite test = hard.

Illustration 2.3 — WRONG WAY: Common Mistakes

  • Image: Three mistakes:
    • Grain piled thick (doesn't dry evenly)
    • Left out overnight (dew re-wets the grain)
    • No moisture test (guessing instead of testing)
  • Red X.
  • Meaning: Don't pile thick. Don't leave out at night. Don't guess — test.

Illustration 2.4 — STEP BY STEP: Drying Process

  • Image: 4 panels:
    • Panel 1: Spread grain thin (2-3cm) on clean tarp in full sun
    • Panel 2: Turn every 2 hours with shovel (mixing icon)
    • Panel 3: Bring tarp inside at night (moon icon = dew danger)
    • Panel 4: Test moisture — bite grain (hard = dry) or use tester (13% = safe)
  • Meaning: Spread thin, turn every 2h, bring in at night, test before storing.

Illustration 2.5 — REAL FARM EXAMPLE

  • Image: Mozambican farmer (man, 45) in Manica drying maize on a blue tarp. He uses a moisture tester (MBC-provided at collection hub). Reading: 12.8% = SAFE. He gives a thumbs up. Grain is ready for PICS bags.
  • Meaning: This MBC farmer tests moisture before storage. 12.8% = safe.

Illustration 2.6 — QUICK CHECK

  • Image: Two grain samples. A: soft when bitten, 18% moisture. B: hard when bitten, 13% moisture. Which is safe to store?
  • Meaning: B is safe — hard and 13%.

Module 3: PICS Bag Storage (Post-Harvest — $8)

Illustration 3.1 — CONCEPT: What are PICS Bags?

  • Image: A PICS bag shown with 3 layers visible (cross-section). Layer 1: outer woven bag. Layer 2: inner plastic bag. Layer 3: innermost plastic bag. Insects inside (weevil icons) with X over them — they die from lack of oxygen. NO chemicals icon.
  • Meaning: PICS bags kill insects WITHOUT chemicals. 3 layers, no air, insects die.

Illustration 3.2 — RIGHT WAY: How to Use PICS Bags

  • Image: Farmer filling PICS bag 3/4 full with dry grain. Squeezing air out of inner bags. Tying each layer separately (3 knots). Placing bag on bricks (off ground). Storing in cool, dry place.
  • Green checkmark.
  • Meaning: Fill 3/4, squeeze air, tie 3 knots, store off ground, cool place.

Illustration 3.3 — WRONG WAY: Common Mistakes

  • Image: Three mistakes:
    • Wet grain in PICS bag (moisture causes mold even in PICS)
    • Only tying outer bag (insects enter through inner layers)
    • Bag on bare ground (moisture seeps in, rats chew)
  • Red X.
  • Meaning: Don't store wet grain. Tie ALL 3 layers. Keep off ground.

Illustration 3.4 — STEP BY STEP: PICS Bag Process

  • Image: 4 panels:
    • Panel 1: Check grain is dry (13% moisture or bite test = hard)
    • Panel 2: Fill PICS bag 3/4 full with dry grain
    • Panel 3: Squeeze ALL air out, tie each of 3 layers separately
    • Panel 4: Place on bricks/platform, keep away from rats, check monthly
  • Meaning: Dry grain, fill 3/4, squeeze air, tie 3 layers, store off ground.

Illustration 3.5 — REAL FARM EXAMPLE

  • Image: Mozambican farmer (woman, 35) in Zambézia storing her cassava in PICS bags. 3 bags on wooden pallets in her storage room. She checks one bag monthly — opens, smells (sweet = good), sees clean grain, reties. 12 months later: grain still perfect, zero loss.
  • Meaning: This MBC farmer stored grain for 12+ months with ZERO loss using PICS bags.

Illustration 3.6 — QUICK CHECK

  • Image: Two storage methods. A: grain in open sack on the ground, insects visible. B: grain in PICS bag (3 layers), tied, on bricks. Which protects grain?
  • Meaning: B protects — PICS bag, 3 layers, off ground.

Module 4: Quality Grading at Collection Hub

Illustration 4.1 — CONCEPT: What is Quality Grading?

  • Image: A collection hub scene. Farmer brings grain. Hub coordinator weighs grain on digital scale. Tests moisture with tester. Grades it: Grade A (green = best price), Grade B (yellow = medium price), Reject (red = no sale).
  • Meaning: Quality grading determines your price. Better grain = more money.

Illustration 4.2 — RIGHT WAY: How to Get Grade A

  • Image: Farmer arrives at hub with:
    • Clean grain (no stones, dirt, or foreign matter)
    • Dry grain (13% moisture or less)
    • Same variety (not mixed)
    • Insect-free (stored in PICS bags) Result: Grade A = highest price. Big smile. M-Pesa notification with $$.
  • Green checkmark.
  • Meaning: Clean, dry, uniform, insect-free = Grade A = highest price.

Illustration 4.3 — WRONG WAY: Common Mistakes

  • Image: Three mistakes:
    • Grain with stones and dirt mixed in (Reject)
    • Wet grain, 20% moisture (Reject — will mold in storage)
    • Mixed varieties in one bag (Grade C — lower price)
  • Red X.
  • Meaning: No dirt/stones. Must be dry. Don't mix varieties.

Illustration 4.4 — STEP BY STEP: Hub Grading Process

  • Image: 4 panels:
    • Panel 1: Bring grain to collection hub (dry, clean, in PICS bags)
    • Panel 2: Hub coordinator weighs on digital scale (weight recorded)
    • Panel 3: Moisture tester checks — 13% or less = pass
    • Panel 4: Grade assigned, price set, M-Pesa payment received on phone
  • Meaning: Bring clean dry grain, weigh, test moisture, grade, get M-Pesa payment.

Illustration 4.5 — REAL FARM EXAMPLE

  • Image: Mozambican farmer (man, 50) at Chimoio Collection Hub (Manica). He brings 500kg of Grade A maize. Digital scale: 500kg. Moisture: 12.5%. Grade: A. Price: 32 MZN/kg. M-Pesa notification: 16,000 MZN received. Big smile. Blockchain hash visible on receipt.
  • Meaning: This MBC farmer got Grade A and received M-Pesa payment instantly.

Illustration 4.6 — QUICK CHECK

  • Image: Three grain samples. A: clean, dry, uniform = Grade A. B: some dirt, 15% moisture = Grade B. C: stones, wet, mixed = Reject. Which earns the most money?
  • Meaning: A earns the most — clean, dry, uniform = Grade A.

Course 4 Complete: Harvesting. 4 modules. 24 illustrations.

Next: Course 5 — Selling (Venda)

Visual Guide

**Image**: A maize plant showing color signals. Green plant = not ready. Yellow-green leaves = almos
Illustration

**Image**: A maize plant showing color signals. Green plant = not ready. Yellow-green leaves = almost ready. Brown/dry leaves = READY. A calendar shows harvest season: dry season only.

**Image**: Farmer harvesting in DRY weather (sun icon). Two dry days before harvesting. Cutting stem
Illustration

**Image**: Farmer harvesting in DRY weather (sun icon). Two dry days before harvesting. Cutting stem with sickle, leaving roots in soil. Laying harvest on a clean tarp (not on bare ground). Calendar: harvest during dry season.

**Image**: Three mistakes:
Illustration

**Image**: Three mistakes:

**Image**: 4 panels:
Illustration

**Image**: 4 panels:

**Image**: Mozambican farmer (woman, 40) in Nampula harvesting sesame. She checked the weather (no r
Illustration

**Image**: Mozambican farmer (woman, 40) in Nampula harvesting sesame. She checked the weather (no rain for 3 days). She cuts stems with a sickle. Clean tarp on the ground. Her cooperative helps harvest together.

**Image**: Three maize plants. A: green and tall. B: yellow-green. C: brown and dry. Which is ready
Illustration

**Image**: Three maize plants. A: green and tall. B: yellow-green. C: brown and dry. Which is ready to harvest?

**Image**: Left: wet grain in a bag — mold grows, insects appear, grain rots. Right: dry grain in a
Illustration

**Image**: Left: wet grain in a bag — mold grows, insects appear, grain rots. Right: dry grain in a bag — clean, no mold, stores for 12+ months. A moisture tester shows: wet = 20% (red), dry = 13% (green).

**Image**: Grain spread thin on a tarp in the sun. Farmer turning grain with a shovel every 2 hours
Illustration

**Image**: Grain spread thin on a tarp in the sun. Farmer turning grain with a shovel every 2 hours (sun + clock icons). Moisture tester (small device) pressed into grain. Reading: 13% = SAFE. Bite test: grain is hard when dry.

**Image**: Three mistakes:
Illustration

**Image**: Three mistakes:

**Image**: 4 panels:
Illustration

**Image**: 4 panels:

**Image**: Mozambican farmer (man, 45) in Manica drying maize on a blue tarp. He uses a moisture tes
Illustration

**Image**: Mozambican farmer (man, 45) in Manica drying maize on a blue tarp. He uses a moisture tester (MBC-provided at collection hub). Reading: 12.8% = SAFE. He gives a thumbs up. Grain is ready for PICS bags.

**Image**: Two grain samples. A: soft when bitten, 18% moisture. B: hard when bitten, 13% moisture.
Illustration

**Image**: Two grain samples. A: soft when bitten, 18% moisture. B: hard when bitten, 13% moisture. Which is safe to store?

**Image**: A PICS bag shown with 3 layers visible (cross-section). Layer 1: outer woven bag. Layer 2
Illustration

**Image**: A PICS bag shown with 3 layers visible (cross-section). Layer 1: outer woven bag. Layer 2: inner plastic bag. Layer 3: innermost plastic bag. Insects inside (weevil icons) with X over them — they die from lack of oxygen. NO chemicals icon.

**Image**: Farmer filling PICS bag 3/4 full with dry grain. Squeezing air out of inner bags. Tying e
Illustration

**Image**: Farmer filling PICS bag 3/4 full with dry grain. Squeezing air out of inner bags. Tying each layer separately (3 knots). Placing bag on bricks (off ground). Storing in cool, dry place.

**Image**: Three mistakes:
Illustration

**Image**: Three mistakes:

**Image**: 4 panels:
Illustration

**Image**: 4 panels:

**Image**: Mozambican farmer (woman, 35) in Zambézia storing her cassava in PICS bags. 3 bags on woo
Illustration

**Image**: Mozambican farmer (woman, 35) in Zambézia storing her cassava in PICS bags. 3 bags on wooden pallets in her storage room. She checks one bag monthly — opens, smells (sweet = good), sees clean grain, reties. 12 months later: grain still perfect, zero loss.

**Image**: Two storage methods. A: grain in open sack on the ground, insects visible. B: grain in PI
Illustration

**Image**: Two storage methods. A: grain in open sack on the ground, insects visible. B: grain in PICS bag (3 layers), tied, on bricks. Which protects grain?

**Image**: A collection hub scene. Farmer brings grain. Hub coordinator weighs grain on digital scal
Illustration

**Image**: A collection hub scene. Farmer brings grain. Hub coordinator weighs grain on digital scale. Tests moisture with tester. Grades it: Grade A (green = best price), Grade B (yellow = medium price), Reject (red = no sale).

**Image**: Farmer arrives at hub with:
Illustration

**Image**: Farmer arrives at hub with:

**Image**: Three mistakes:
Illustration

**Image**: Three mistakes:

**Image**: 4 panels:
Illustration

**Image**: 4 panels:

**Image**: Mozambican farmer (man, 50) at Chimoio Collection Hub (Manica). He brings 500kg of Grade
Illustration

**Image**: Mozambican farmer (man, 50) at Chimoio Collection Hub (Manica). He brings 500kg of Grade A maize. Digital scale: 500kg. Moisture: 12.5%. Grade: A. Price: 32 MZN/kg. M-Pesa notification: 16,000 MZN received. Big smile. Blockchain hash visible on receipt.

**Image**: Three grain samples. A: clean, dry, uniform = Grade A. B: some dirt, 15% moisture = Grade
Illustration

**Image**: Three grain samples. A: clean, dry, uniform = Grade A. B: some dirt, 15% moisture = Grade B. C: stones, wet, mixed = Reject. Which earns the most money?

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