Cauliflowers and cabbages are the most common winter vegetables, and a large number of farmers in the Birashi, Umradangi, Uttargaon, Mahalbari, Koligaon and Bhandar areas of the upazila have this year switched to their cultivation from other traditional crops much before winter. And the gamble has paid off. Hundreds of vegetable traders from Rangpur, Bogura, Dhaka and Sylhet are flocking to the upazila everyday to purchase the fresh produce from the farmers, and that too, "at a fair price".

Cauliflowers and cabbages are the most common winter vegetables, and a large number of farmers in the Birashi, Umradangi, Uttargaon, Mahalbari, Koligaon and Bhandar areas of the upazila have this year switched to their cultivation from other traditional crops much before winter. And the gamble has paid off.

Hundreds of vegetable traders from Rangpur, Bogura, Dhaka and Sylhet are flocking to the upazila everyday to purchase the fresh produce from the farmers, and that too, "at a fair price".

A significant source of nutrients, cauliflower contains unique plant compounds that are said to reduce the risk of several diseases, including heart ailments and cancer. On the other hand, cabbage is an excellent source of vitamin C, dietary fibre and Vitamin K, which is important for bone health and aids formation of blood clots after an injury.

Farmers say they are very happy to have made the right decision at the right time. "This year, we have witnessed a bumper production of winter vegetables, including cauliflower and cabbage," says Liton Ali, a resident of Padampur village.

Cauliflower varieties grown by the farmers include Marbel, Mukti, Magnet-12 and Victory. And KK Crush, Tropicland, Quicker and Superset are the cabbage varieties they have cultivated. In the local markets, a kg of cauliflower is being sold at Tk 55-65 while a kg of cabbage costs Tk 50-60.

“Each mound of cauliflower is being sold at Tk 2,000-2,200, while it's Tk 1,800-2,000 for cabbage. I am seeing more profit by taking to the cultivation of these veggies," Ali says. 

Sanjay Debnath, the upazila agriculture officer, says, “This year, some 400 hectares of land have been brought under cauliflower cultivation and 200 hectares under cabbage cultivation as the soil of the area is favourable for the same."

 Aftab Hossain, the deputy director of the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) in Thakurgaon, says they have set a target to bring 8,824 hectares of land under vegetable cultivation this year.

Also read: Early variety winter vegetables raise hope among Jessore farmers