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

MBC Quantum Farming Academy: Planting (Plantio) — Illustrated Guide

4 illustrated modules teaching land preparation, seed selection, planting techniques, and composting — for non-literate Mozambican farmers. Zero text. Pure pictures. Like airplane safety cards but for farming.

30 min Field Skills Maputo Bridge Capital
MBC Quantum Farming Academy: Planting (Plantio) — 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: Planting (Plantio)

4 modules. 24 illustrations. Zero text. For every Mozambican farmer — even those who cannot read.

Module 1: Land Preparation with Satellite Guidance

Illustration 1.1 — CONCEPT: What is Land Preparation?

  • Image: A farmer stands on a hill looking over a field. Left side shows tangled bushes, weeds, and rocks. Right side shows clean rows of soil ready for planting. A satellite icon floats above with a green arrow pointing to the clean side.
  • Meaning: Good land preparation = clean field, straight rows, ready for seeds.

Illustration 1.2 — RIGHT WAY: How to Prepare Land

  • Image: Farmer with hoe clearing weeds. Rocks placed in a pile at the edge. Soil broken into fine particles. Rows marked with string and sticks. A satellite image inset shows green field = healthy soil.
  • Green checkmark in corner.
  • Meaning: Clear weeds, remove rocks, break soil fine, mark rows straight.

Illustration 1.3 — WRONG WAY: Common Mistakes

  • Image: Farmer planting directly into weeds and unbroken soil. Seeds scattered on hard ground. Rocks still in the field. A satellite image inset shows yellow/red = poor soil.
  • Red X in corner.
  • Meaning: Don't plant into weeds. Don't plant on hard soil. Remove rocks first.

Illustration 1.4 — STEP BY STEP: Land Preparation Process

  • Image: 4 panels in sequence:
    • Panel 1: Cut weeds with hoe/machete
    • Panel 2: Remove rocks and roots, pile at edge
    • Panel 3: Break soil into fine particles with hoe
    • Panel 4: Mark rows with string and sticks (straight lines)
  • Meaning: Follow these 4 steps in order.

Illustration 1.5 — REAL FARM EXAMPLE

  • Image: A Mozambican farmer (woman, 40s, capulana headwrap) standing in her clean field in Manica province. Straight rows visible. Hoe in hand. M-Pesa phone in pocket. Collection hub visible in background.
  • Meaning: This is a real MBC farmer doing it right in Mozambique.

Illustration 1.6 — QUICK CHECK

  • Image: Two fields side by side. Field A has weeds, rocks, crooked rows. Field B has clean soil, straight rows, no rocks. Question mark between them.
  • Meaning: Which field is ready for planting? (Answer: B)

Module 2: Seed Selection and Treatment

Illustration 2.1 — CONCEPT: What is Seed Selection?

  • Image: Two seeds side by side. Left seed is small, shriveled, cracked, with holes (insect damage). Right seed is large, full, smooth, uniform color. Hand points to the good seed.
  • Meaning: Select the best seeds. Big, full, undamaged.

Illustration 2.2 — RIGHT WAY: How to Select Seeds

  • Image: Farmer's hands sorting seeds on a flat surface. Good seeds (large, full, smooth) go into a bowl on the right. Bad seeds (small, broken, insect holes) go into a discard pile on the left. Water bowl visible for float test.
  • Green checkmark.
  • Meaning: Sort seeds by size and quality. Float test: good seeds sink, bad seeds float.

Illustration 2.3 — WRONG WAY: Common Mistakes

  • Image: Farmer planting all seeds without sorting — mixing good and bad seeds together. Some seeds have visible insect holes. One seed is moldy.
  • Red X.
  • Meaning: Don't plant unsorted seeds. Don't plant damaged or moldy seeds.

Illustration 2.4 — STEP BY STEP: Seed Treatment

  • Image: 4 panels:
    • Panel 1: Sort seeds — remove small/broken/damaged
    • Panel 2: Float test — put seeds in water, remove floating seeds
    • Panel 3: Soak good seeds in water (sun icon = warm water)
    • Panel 4: Dry seeds in shade (NOT direct sun) on a clean cloth
  • Meaning: Sort, float test, soak, dry in shade.

Illustration 2.5 — REAL FARM EXAMPLE

  • Image: Mozambican farmer (man, 50s) in Zambézia province holding a handful of sorted, treated cassava cuttings. Clean cloth with drying seeds. His cooperative logo visible on his shirt.
  • Meaning: This MBC farmer treats his seeds before planting.

Illustration 2.6 — QUICK CHECK

  • Image: Three seeds. Seed A: large and full. Seed B: small and shriveled. Seed C: has insect hole. Which to plant? (A, B, or C?)
  • Meaning: Only plant the best seeds.

Module 3: Planting Techniques and Spacing

Illustration 3.1 — CONCEPT: What is Proper Planting?

  • Image: A bird's-eye view of a field. Left side: seeds scattered randomly (chaos). Right side: seeds in neat rows with equal spacing (order). Plants on the right side are taller and healthier.
  • Meaning: Plant in rows with equal spacing for better growth.

Illustration 3.2 — RIGHT WAY: How to Plant

  • Image: Farmer making holes with a hoe in a straight line. Holes are equally spaced (show a measuring stick between holes). 3 seeds per hole. Farmer covering seeds gently with soil. Water can nearby.
  • Green checkmark.
  • Meaning: Straight rows, equal spacing, 3 seeds per hole, cover gently.

Illustration 3.3 — WRONG WAY: Common Mistakes

  • Image: Three panels showing mistakes:
    • Panel 1: Seeds planted too close together (crowded)
    • Panel 2: Seeds planted too deep (sprout can't emerge)
    • Panel 3: Seeds scattered randomly (no rows)
  • Red X on each.
  • Meaning: Don't plant too close, too deep, or randomly.

Illustration 3.4 — STEP BY STEP: Planting Process

  • Image: 4 panels:
    • Panel 1: Check soil moisture — finger goes in easily = good
    • Panel 2: Make holes — 1 step apart, 2 fingers deep
    • Panel 3: Place 3 seeds per hole
    • Panel 4: Cover gently with soil, pat lightly, water if dry
  • Meaning: Moisture check, 1 step apart, 2 fingers deep, 3 seeds, cover gently.

Illustration 3.5 — REAL FARM EXAMPLE

  • Image: Mozambican farmer (woman, 30s) in Nampula province planting maize in straight rows. Her children helping. Cooperative members visible in background doing the same. MBC agent supervising.
  • Meaning: MBC farmers plant in rows with proper spacing.

Illustration 3.6 — QUICK CHECK

  • Image: Three planting patterns. A: random scatter. B: straight rows, 3 seeds per hole. C: too close together. Which is correct?
  • Meaning: B is correct — straight rows, 3 seeds per hole.

Module 4: Organic Composting and Soil Health

Illustration 4.1 — CONCEPT: What is Compost?

  • Image: A pile of organic matter (leaves, food scraps, manure, crop residue) with arrows showing it transforming into dark, rich soil. A plant growing from the compost is tall and green. A plant growing from poor soil is small and yellow.
  • Meaning: Compost = food for soil. Healthy soil = healthy plants.

Illustration 4.2 — RIGHT WAY: How to Make Compost

  • Image: A compost pile with layers visible: brown layer (dry leaves/straw), green layer (fresh plants/food scraps), manure layer (animal dung), repeated. A watering can shows moisture. A fork shows turning.
  • Green checkmark.
  • Meaning: Layer brown + green + manure, keep moist, turn every 2 weeks.

Illustration 4.3 — WRONG WAY: Common Mistakes

  • Image: A compost pile that is: all one material (only leaves), completely dry, never turned, smelling bad (fly icons). A dead plant next to it.
  • Red X.
  • Meaning: Don't make a pile of only one thing. Don't let it dry out. Turn it.

Illustration 4.4 — STEP BY STEP: Composting Process

  • Image: 4 panels:
    • Panel 1: Collect materials — dry leaves, green plants, animal manure
    • Panel 2: Build pile in layers — brown, green, manure, repeat
    • Panel 3: Water the pile (keep moist like a sponge)
    • Panel 4: Turn every 2 weeks with a fork (arrows showing mixing)
  • Meaning: Collect, layer, water, turn. Ready in 2-3 months.

Illustration 4.5 — REAL FARM EXAMPLE

  • Image: Mozambican farmer (man, 40s) in Gaza province standing next to his compost pile. Dark, rich compost ready to apply. He holds a handful showing it to the camera. His maize field behind him is tall and green.
  • Meaning: This MBC farmer makes his own fertilizer from compost.

Illustration 4.6 — QUICK CHECK

  • Image: Two compost piles. Pile A: mixed layers, moist, dark color. Pile B: only dry leaves, gray, dry. Which is ready to use?
  • Meaning: A is ready — mixed, moist, dark.

Course 1 Complete: Planting. 4 modules. 24 illustrations. Zero text needed.

Next: Course 2 — Growing (Cultivo)

Visual Guide

**Image**: A farmer stands on a hill looking over a field. Left side shows tangled bushes, weeds, an
Illustration

**Image**: A farmer stands on a hill looking over a field. Left side shows tangled bushes, weeds, and rocks. Right side shows clean rows of soil ready for planting. A satellite icon floats above with a green arrow pointing to the clean side.

**Image**: Farmer with hoe clearing weeds. Rocks placed in a pile at the edge. Soil broken into fine
Illustration

**Image**: Farmer with hoe clearing weeds. Rocks placed in a pile at the edge. Soil broken into fine particles. Rows marked with string and sticks. A satellite image inset shows green field = healthy soil.

**Image**: Farmer planting directly into weeds and unbroken soil. Seeds scattered on hard ground. Ro
Illustration

**Image**: Farmer planting directly into weeds and unbroken soil. Seeds scattered on hard ground. Rocks still in the field. A satellite image inset shows yellow/red = poor soil.

**Image**: 4 panels in sequence:
Illustration

**Image**: 4 panels in sequence:

**Image**: A Mozambican farmer (woman, 40s, capulana headwrap) standing in her clean field in Manica
Illustration

**Image**: A Mozambican farmer (woman, 40s, capulana headwrap) standing in her clean field in Manica province. Straight rows visible. Hoe in hand. M-Pesa phone in pocket. Collection hub visible in background.

**Image**: Two fields side by side. Field A has weeds, rocks, crooked rows. Field B has clean soil,
Illustration

**Image**: Two fields side by side. Field A has weeds, rocks, crooked rows. Field B has clean soil, straight rows, no rocks. Question mark between them.

**Image**: Two seeds side by side. Left seed is small, shriveled, cracked, with holes (insect damage
Illustration

**Image**: Two seeds side by side. Left seed is small, shriveled, cracked, with holes (insect damage). Right seed is large, full, smooth, uniform color. Hand points to the good seed.

**Image**: Farmer's hands sorting seeds on a flat surface. Good seeds (large, full, smooth) go into
Illustration

**Image**: Farmer's hands sorting seeds on a flat surface. Good seeds (large, full, smooth) go into a bowl on the right. Bad seeds (small, broken, insect holes) go into a discard pile on the left. Water bowl visible for float test.

**Image**: Farmer planting all seeds without sorting — mixing good and bad seeds together. Some seed
Illustration

**Image**: Farmer planting all seeds without sorting — mixing good and bad seeds together. Some seeds have visible insect holes. One seed is moldy.

**Image**: 4 panels:
Illustration

**Image**: 4 panels:

**Image**: Mozambican farmer (man, 50s) in Zambézia province holding a handful of sorted, treated ca
Illustration

**Image**: Mozambican farmer (man, 50s) in Zambézia province holding a handful of sorted, treated cassava cuttings. Clean cloth with drying seeds. His cooperative logo visible on his shirt.

**Image**: Three seeds. Seed A: large and full. Seed B: small and shriveled. Seed C: has insect hole
Illustration

**Image**: Three seeds. Seed A: large and full. Seed B: small and shriveled. Seed C: has insect hole. Which to plant? (A, B, or C?)

**Image**: A bird's-eye view of a field. Left side: seeds scattered randomly (chaos). Right side: se
Illustration

**Image**: A bird's-eye view of a field. Left side: seeds scattered randomly (chaos). Right side: seeds in neat rows with equal spacing (order). Plants on the right side are taller and healthier.

**Image**: Farmer making holes with a hoe in a straight line. Holes are equally spaced (show a measu
Illustration

**Image**: Farmer making holes with a hoe in a straight line. Holes are equally spaced (show a measuring stick between holes). 3 seeds per hole. Farmer covering seeds gently with soil. Water can nearby.

**Image**: Three panels showing mistakes:
Illustration

**Image**: Three panels showing mistakes:

**Image**: 4 panels:
Illustration

**Image**: 4 panels:

**Image**: Mozambican farmer (woman, 30s) in Nampula province planting maize in straight rows. Her c
Illustration

**Image**: Mozambican farmer (woman, 30s) in Nampula province planting maize in straight rows. Her children helping. Cooperative members visible in background doing the same. MBC agent supervising.

**Image**: Three planting patterns. A: random scatter. B: straight rows, 3 seeds per hole. C: too cl
Illustration

**Image**: Three planting patterns. A: random scatter. B: straight rows, 3 seeds per hole. C: too close together. Which is correct?

**Image**: A pile of organic matter (leaves, food scraps, manure, crop residue) with arrows showing
Illustration

**Image**: A pile of organic matter (leaves, food scraps, manure, crop residue) with arrows showing it transforming into dark, rich soil. A plant growing from the compost is tall and green. A plant growing from poor soil is small and yellow.

**Image**: A compost pile with layers visible: brown layer (dry leaves/straw), green layer (fresh pl
Illustration

**Image**: A compost pile with layers visible: brown layer (dry leaves/straw), green layer (fresh plants/food scraps), manure layer (animal dung), repeated. A watering can shows moisture. A fork shows turning.

**Image**: A compost pile that is: all one material (only leaves), completely dry, never turned, sme
Illustration

**Image**: A compost pile that is: all one material (only leaves), completely dry, never turned, smelling bad (fly icons). A dead plant next to it.

**Image**: 4 panels:
Illustration

**Image**: 4 panels:

**Image**: Mozambican farmer (man, 40s) in Gaza province standing next to his compost pile. Dark, ri
Illustration

**Image**: Mozambican farmer (man, 40s) in Gaza province standing next to his compost pile. Dark, rich compost ready to apply. He holds a handful showing it to the camera. His maize field behind him is tall and green.

**Image**: Two compost piles. Pile A: mixed layers, moist, dark color. Pile B: only dry leaves, gray
Illustration

**Image**: Two compost piles. Pile A: mixed layers, moist, dark color. Pile B: only dry leaves, gray, dry. Which is ready to use?

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