- Introduction: Why Cabbage Is One of the World’s Most Profitable One-Acre Crops
Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata) is among the most widely cultivated leafy vegetables worldwide. It is grown in over 150 countries and consumed across homes, restaurants, food-processing industries, hotels, grocery chains and export markets. The global cabbage market value exceeds $70 billion annually, making it one of the most stable crops for commercial farming.
Cabbage is ideal for one-acre cultivation because:
Short-duration crop (75–120 days)
Very high yield per acre (20–35 tons)
Excellent profitability
Strong domestic and export demand
Low input cost
Very stable pricing
Suitable for open-field as well as controlled farming
Works in cold and moderate climates
One acre cabbage farming, when done with hybrid seeds and scientific management, can generate a consistent income with minimal risks.
- Climate Requirements
Cabbage requires a cool and moist climate.
It performs best in:
Temperature: 15–25°C
Minimum: 8°C
Maximum: 30°C
Relative humidity: 60–80%
Day length: 6–8 hours sunlight
Global Cabbage Production Regions
China
India
Japan
Korea
Russia
USA (California, Wisconsin, New York)
Netherlands
Spain
Kenya
South Africa
Cabbage cannot tolerate extreme heat; it thrives in cool conditions.
- Soil Requirements
Cabbage requires:
Well-drained loamy soil
Soil pH: 6.0–6.5
High organic matter
Deep soil for root development
Good moisture retention
Zero waterlogging
One-Acre Soil Preparation Steps
Plough the field 2–3 times
Add 8–10 tons of compost or FYM
Add 50–80 kg neem cake
Add sand if soil is heavy
Prepare raised beds of 3–4 ft width
Ensure fine tilth to support transplanting
- Seed Rate and Nursery Management
Seed Requirement for One Acre
Hybrid seed: 80–120 grams
Open pollinated seed: 150–200 grams
Hybrid seeds produce double yield and uniform head size.
Nursery Steps
Seed Treatment
Treat seeds with Trichoderma or carbendazim
Helps prevent damping off disease
Growing Media
Cocopeat
Vermiculite
Perlite
Compost mix
Nursery Duration
25–30 days
Transplant Size
4–5 leaf stage
12–15 cm height
Healthy, green, disease-free seedlings
- Global Hybrid Varieties of Cabbage
High-Yield Hybrids
Green Express
Golden Acre
Pride of India
Pusa Drumhead
Copenhagen Market
KK Cross
Brunswick
Blue Dynasty
Heat-Tolerant Varieties
Pusa Mukta
Pusa Ageti
Export Preferred Varieties
Round Green Head
Blue Diamond
Sugar Loaf
- Planting Layout and Spacing
Recommended Spacing
Row-to-row: 2 ft (60 cm)
Plant-to-plant: 1.5 ft (45 cm)
Plant Population per Acre
14,000–18,000 plants
Planting Depth
2–3 cm
Proper spacing ensures bigger, heavier heads.
- Irrigation Requirement (Week-by-Week Schedule)
Cabbage needs regular moisture.
Week 1–2 (Establishment)
Light irrigation daily
Week 3–5
Every 2–3 days
Week 6–8 (Head Formation)
Crucial stage
Irrigate every 2 days
Week 9–12 (Maturity)
Irrigate every 4–5 days
Total Water Requirement
400–550 liters per acre per day (drip)
Best Method
Drip irrigation because:
Saves water
Reduces disease
Supports fertigation
Improves head size
- Fertilizer Schedule (Complete Month-by-Month Program)
Basal Dose
FYM/compost: 8–10 tons
Neem cake: 50 kg
NPK 12:32:16: 40–60 kg
Fertigation Program
Month 1 (Vegetative Growth)
NPK 19:19:19 → 4 kg/week
Urea → 3 kg/week
Calcium nitrate → 2 kg/week
Month 2 (Cabbage Head Formation)
Potassium nitrate → 5 kg/week
Magnesium sulphate → 2 kg/week
NPK 13:00:45 → 4 kg/week
Month 3 (Maturity)
SOP (sulphate of potash) → 4 kg/week
MKP 0:52:34 → 3 kg/week
Micronutrient Sprays (Every 20 Days)
Boron 0.2% (prevents cracking)
Zinc sulphate 0.5%
Ferrous sulphate 0.5%
Calcium chloride 0.5%
- Weed Management
Pendimethalin (pre-emergence)
Manual weeding at 20 days
Second weeding at 40 days
Mulching reduces weeds significantly
- Pest Management (Global Standard)
Major Pests
- Diamondback Moth (DBM)
Control:
Emamectin benzoate
Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)
- Aphids
Control:
Imidacloprid
Thiamethoxam
- Cabbage Caterpillar
Control:
Chlorantraniliprole
Spinosad
- Cutworms
Control:
Soil drenching with chlorpyrifos
- Disease Management
Black Rot
Control: Copper oxychloride
Downy Mildew
Control: Metalaxyl + Mancozeb
Damping Off (nursery)
Control: Trichoderma
Alternaria Leaf Spot
Control: Mancozeb
Proper crop rotation reduces disease pressure.
- Harvesting Timeline
Cabbage matures in:
Early varieties: 70–80 days
Mid varieties: 85–95 days
Late varieties: 100–120 days
Indicators:
Heads firm
Uniform size
Tight leaf wrapping
- Yield Per Acre
Average Yield
20–25 tons
High Yield (hybrid + drip)
30–35 tons
Record Yield
40+ tons (best management)
- Global Market Prices (USD)
RegionPrice per kgUSA$0.50 – $1.20Europe$0.60 – $1.30Middle East$0.40 – $0.80Asia$0.20 – $0.60Africa$0.15 – $0.40
Processing cabbage
$1.0 – $2.0 per kg
- Profit Analysis
Revenue Example
25,000 kg × $0.40 = $10,000 revenue
Total Cost per Acre
$2,000–$3,500
Net Profit
$6,000 – $12,000 per acre
High-value hybrids can reach $14,000+ profit.
- Export Opportunities
Top importing countries:
UAE
Qatar
Saudi Arabia
Oman
Nepal
Sri Lanka
Malaysia
Singapore
Documents Required
Phytosanitary certificate
Certificate of origin
Invoice
Packing list
IEC code
- Value Addition Products
Sauerkraut
Dehydrated cabbage
Cabbage powder
Pickled cabbage
Kimchi (high export value)
Cabbage juice
Value addition increases returns 3–5 times.
- Storage and Packaging
Storage Conditions
Temperature: 0–4°C
Humidity: 90–95%
Ventilated crates
Packaging
Mesh bags
Plastic crates
Vacuum-sealed bags (export)
- Conclusion
Cabbage is among the most profitable and dependable cool-season vegetable crops grown worldwide. Its short duration, high yield, strong market demand, export value, and low production cost make it a top choice for one-acre farming.
With hybrid seeds, precise irrigation, balanced fertilizer application, and timely pest management, farmers can consistently achieve:
20–35 tons yield
$6,000–$12,000 net profit
Premium price in export markets
Year-round stable demand
Cabbage farming supports high-value processing industries, making it suitable for youth agripreneurs and commercial vegetable growers.
- FAQ
- What is the seed rate per acre?
80–120 grams hybrid seed.
- How many days does cabbage take to mature?
70–120 days depending on variety.
- How much yield per acre?
20–35 tons.
- Best irrigation method?
Drip irrigation.
- Which pests are most dangerous?
Diamondback moth, aphids, caterpillars.
- What is the global price?
$0.20–$1.30 per kg depending on region.
- Which country produces the most cabbage?
China.
- Which country imports the most?
Middle Eastern countries.
- How to increase cabbage head size?
Potassium and boron supplements during head formation.
- What are the profit margins?
$6,000–$12,000 per acre.
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