Executive Plan / Background

Cabbages are nutritious, crisp and easy to cook vegetables. There is a very huge demand for
cabbages in Zimbabwe and many farmers are making money by farming cabbages. Advantages
of farming cabbages in Zimbabwe include: they produce high yields, the local demand is huge,
can adapt to a wide range of climates, high profit margins, and need less chemical inputs as
compared to other commercial crops.  Zimbabweans consumers like cabbages because they can
easily be cooked, have no fat, contain high amount of Vitamins, are cheap, less perishable(can
be stored under room temperature), can easily be converted to dried vegetables (mufushwa),
the cabbage leaves can also be given to poultry, rabbits ; can easily be handled and transported.
Cabbage is a typical cool season crop grown for the thickened main bud called head. It is one of the
most popular and widely grown vegetables in the region and has occupied second position in production
after potato. It is a rich source of vitamin A, C and mineral including potassium, calcium, sodium and iron

Vision

To promote local production of agricultural and specialty products and offer opportunities for
producers to enhance their marketing skills. To strive and improve the variety, taste, and
freshness of products available to customers in the local area

Core Values

Self-direction, achievement and conformity.

Objectives

The objective of farm management can be broadly classified into two aspects. One is the
objective to increase net profit (profit maximization) of the farm and the other to decrease
costs at the same time attaining a particular output level. 

Factor efficiency :

One of the best ways to analyze profits over production is to determine the relative
efficiency between agricultural input and output. This creates the principle of variable
proportion providing farmers with the most efficient combination for production. We can
also understand different input levels in comparison to the effect of change in output and
determine the most profitable input output combination.

Analyze cost and profit :

Proper farm management techniques can provide cost and profit per hectare of land,
opening up opportunities to analyze and make better decisions. It is necessary to study
the cost per hectare and per quintal
Evaluate resources:

Data about land, water, labor, plants, animals, and renewable resources are gathered to
plan their exploitation in an efficient way that will produce the optimum result. The
relative performance of different machineries in carrying out different farm operations
needs to be evaluated.

Protect diversity:

Through soil management, pollution control, energy efficiency, crop protection, water
management, nature conservation and livestock management, integrity and safety are
maintained. There is a need to evaluate the appropriateness of the used farm resources
and how sustainability can be advocated.

Products

Varieties: Green Express, Pusa Ageti, Pride of India, Green Challenger, Green Hero, Rare Ball

Operational Requirements

Understanding Cabbage Farming

In a few words, most cabbage growers start the plants from seed in an indoor protected
environment (nursery). The period from indoor sowing until transplanting ranges from 18 to 38
days. Then, they transplant the young seedlings in a fertile well-plowed field that is free from
weeds. They plant the seedlings in rows so that the plants will have proper spacing and
aeration. In most cases, drip irrigation and fertigation are applied (fertilization through water-
soluble fertilizers that are injected in the irrigation system). In most varieties, cabbages are
ready to be harvested from 75 to 88 days after transplanting. Harvesting can be performed
either manually or mechanically. 

Soil and climatic requirements

Cabbage thrives in well-drained, moisture-retentive, loamy soils well supplied with organic
matter. It does not grow well in acidic soils. The ideal soil pH ranges from 5.5 to 6.5 and it
should not be allowed to drop below 4.5. The optimum temperatures for growth and
development are from 18 °C to 20 °C. It is fairly resistant to frost and can survive temperatures
as low as –3 °C without damage. Cabbage is also adapted to a wide variety of weather
conditions and, hence, can be grown throughout the year in most regions.

Cultivation Practices

Land preparation
The land should be clean-cultivated 8 weeks before planting. The land must be ploughed
deeply, immediately before planting, with a disk harrow or other suitable implement to a
depth of 450 to 600 mm. The soil should be fumigated 2 weeks before planting to control
nematodes.

Planting

Cabbage may be planted by direct seeding or transplanting of seedlings. If direct seeding is to

be used, about 2 kg of seed per hectare may be required. Seedlings should be transplanted as
soon as they reach the desired size. Only well-hardened, young, stocky plants should be used.
Transplanting is done in moist soil. The soil around the roots should be firmed and irrigated as
soon as possible after setting the seedlings. In wet areas, cabbage should be planted on raised
beds or ridges to reduce waterlogging and stem or root-rot diseases. Plant populations of 40
000 to 45 000 per hectare are suggested for large-headed types while for cultivars with
medium-sized heads, populations of 55 000 to 65 000 plants per hectare are said to be ideal.
For baby cabbage, populations of 80 000 to 100 000 plants per hectare are recommended. It is
recommended that large-headed cultivars should be planted 600 to 700 mm apart between
rows and 450 mm apart within rows. Smaller-headed varieties are planted 600 mm between
rows and 300 mm within rows. One must note that if growing cabbages from seedbeds to
lands, transplanting should be done after the third week. The fertilization is explained below.

Fertilizer

Fertilizer programs should be based on soil analyses and should be developed for each field. On
seedbeds, we generally recommend 45 g/m2 of basal Compound S Fertilizer (7:21:7 9S 0.04B).
After 2 to 3 weeks of germination, one is recommended to apply Ammonium Nitrate (34.5% N).
On lands, we recommend’s Compound C (5:15:12 11S.1B ) at 600 kg/ha as a basal fertilizer.
Other basal fertilizers can be used but ensure that they have Boron. Apply Potassium nitrate
(13:0:46) as a top dressing at 250 kg/ha split at 3 and 6 weeks after transplanting.

Irrigation

Cabbage should be irrigated immediately after sowing or transplanting. Thereafter, irrigation

should be applied at intervals of 10 to 12 days on heavy soils or 8 days on light sandy soils. The
irrigation schedule should be followed until the heads are fully developed and firm. Young
plants should receive enough water for vegetative growth before forming heads. Excess
moisture when the heads have formed may cause them to crack.

Weed control

Weeds are controlled mechanically or by hand as well as chemically by applying registered

herbicides. Mechanical cultivation should be done during land preparation until the plants are
about half-grown. The first cultivation should be done 2 to 3 weeks after transplanting. Below is
a list of recommended herbicides:

Weed Problem Product remedy

Grasses and some broadleaf weeds Lasso/Alachlor 480 EC, Ronstar 25 EC.

Grasses only and Shamva grass Agil 100 EC/ Propaquizafop.

All green matter and weeds Agriquat/ Gramoxone/ Paraquat 20 SL.

Pest Control

Common pests that attack cabbage are aphids, diamond back moth, Bagrada bug, American
bollworm, cabbage webworm, greater cabbage moth, red spider mite, cutworms, Plusia looper,
thrips, and nematodes. Control can be achieved by practicing crop rotation. Always try to keep
the field clean and free of weeds as they serve as hosts for many pests. Below is a list of
recommended insecticides:

Problem Pests Product remedy

Aphids Dimethoate 40 EC and Malathion 25 WP.
Cutworm Dursban/ Pyrinex 48 EC, Fenveralate, Lamda-
Cychlothrin 5 EC .
Diamond back moth Malathion 25 WP, Dedevap 100 EC, Cartap
hydrochloride/Suntap, Match 50
EC/Lufenuron.
Hoppers/ Loopers and Crickets Carbaryl 85 WP, Dipterex 95 SP, Thionex 50
WP.

Disease Control

Common diseases include: damping off, Sclerotonia rot or white mold, clubroot, Fusarium wilt
or cabbage yellows, black leg, downy mildew, black rot and bacterial and leaf spot. Control can
be achieved through chemical means, planting tolerant or resistant. Below is a table of
recommended Fungicides.

Problem diseases Product remedy

Downy mildew Copper Oxychloride 85 WP, and Dithane M45

Damping Off Thiram 80 WP

Harvesting and Storage
Yields will vary with the season of production, variety, and production system used. With
proper management, cabbage can produce 10 to 12 tons per hectare. Growers in first world
countries such as the United States of America have produced upwards of 16 to 20 tons per
hectare. Generally, most markets prefer heads that average 1 kg. Some varieties of cabbage
mature uniformly, requiring one to two harvests. Others can require three or more pickings to
complete harvesting. When harvesting, cut stems close to the ground near the base of the
head. Be sure that heads are well formed and firm. Typically, outer wrapper leaves are
removed. Once cut, remove cabbage from direct sunlight because cabbage wilts quickly when
exposed to sunlight. Wilting results from a loss of water from the head. Cool cabbage to 4-10°C
before shipping it. This will increase shelf life and reduce the development of rot diseases. In
cold storage, cabbage can be stored at 3-9 °C at 98 to 100 percent relative humidity for up to 6
months.

How to Store Cabbages

 Cabbage can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks, wrapped lightly in plastic. Make
sure it is dry before storing. In proper root cellar conditions, cabbage will keep for up to 3
months.

 Follow this old-time technique to get the most out of your cabbage crop:

1. In the fall, harvest the entire cabbage plant—stems, head, and roots—enjoying the head
as usual and storing the roots in a root cellar through winter. 

2. As soon as the ground has thawed in spring, plant the roots outdoors. 

3. Soon, fresh sprouts will form, which can be eaten alone or added to soups, salads, or a
dish of your choice.

4. These replanted cabbages won’t produce full heads, but they should go to seed by the
end of summer, providing next year’s round of cabbage seeds!

 Note: This can also be done indoors on a windowsill in mid- to late winter; keep roots
damp and sprouts should form.

Operational Strategy

Planting Season

Yield
It’s very tough to tell the exact amount, because it depends on numerous factors such as
variety, growing season and overall farm management system. Generally, you can expect an
average of 25 to 35 tonnes of cabbage per hectare.

Planting Area

Fertilizers Herbicides

Pesticides/Fungicides

Labour

You need to hire part time farm workers as and when necessary. The duties which they will do
include grading cabbages; transplanting cabbage seedlings; top dressing; line marking; disking;
ploughing; harvesting, herbiciding and pesticiding. You will be paying them per number of days
worked. You also require supervisors, farm manager, finance & accounting staff, and logistics
staff depending on the scale of your cabbage farming business.

Machinery And Equipment

The machinery you need will depend on the size of your cabbage farming business. Machinery
and equipment needed include tractors, fertilizer spreader equipment, spray equipment,
diggers, harvesters, irrigation equipment, scales, bins, boom sprayers, ridger’s etc. For the
bigger machinery like tractors, you can hire when you want to use them rather than purchasing
them. You may also need grid hydroelectricity energy for the irrigation systems, standby diesel
generators for use during power outages, or solar powered irrigation systems. Farmers
especially in the rural ares who do not have the modern farming equipment use animal drawn
equipment in cabbage farming. The higher the level of mechanization at your cabbage farm, the
higher the efficiency of your operations, and the profitability of your cabbage farming business. 

Contingency/Other Costs

Revenue

Marketing Strategy

There is huge market for cabbages in Zimbabwe. The potential customers for cabbages
include transporters/middleman (they will come to the farm to buy the cabbages to resell
in the city), supermarkets, traders & wholesale distributors (E.g. Mbare Musika is the
largest market for cabbages, the traders buy cabbages from farmers in bulk for reselling),
Fruit and Vegetable open markets, organizations and individuals. The prices of cabbages
vary throughout the year depending on market forces i.e. supply and demand. The price
also depends on the size and quality of the cabbages. These prices allow very huge profits
margins for a cabbage farming business. The profits you will get depend on the cost of
inputs, the yield from the cabbage farm, and the selling prices of the cabbages.

Market Analysis

Target Market

Demand

Market Segmentation

Industry Analysis

Competition and Buying Patterns

SWOT Analysis

Pest And Disease Analysis

Cabbage Pests and Diseases

Pest/Disease Type Symptoms Control/Prevention

Aphids Insect Misshapen/yellow leaves; Grow companion plants; knock off with

sticky “honeydew” water spray; apply insecticidal soap; put
(excrement); sooty, black banana or orange peels around plants;
mold wipe leaves with a 1 to 2 percent
solution of dish soap (no additives) and
water every 2 to 3 days for 2 weeks;
add native plants to invite beneficial
insects

Black rot Fungus Yellow, V-shape areas on leaf Destroy infected plants; choose
edges that brown and resistant varieties; provide good
progress toward leaf center; drainage; remove plant debris;
leaves eventually collapse; rotate crops
stem cross sections reveal
Cabbage Pests and Diseases

Pest/Disease Type Symptoms Control/Prevention

blackened veins

Cabbage Insect Large, ragged holes in leaves Handpick; add native plants to invite
loopers from larval feeding; beneficial insects; spray larvae with
defoliation; stunted or bored insecticidal soap or Bt; use row covers;
heads; excrement remove plant debris

Cabbage root Insect Wilted/stunted plants; off- Use collars around seedling stems;
maggots color leaves; larvae feeding on monitor adults with yellow sticky traps;
roots use row covers; destroy crop residue;
till soil in fall; rotate crops

Cabbageworms Insect Leaves have large, ragged Handpick; use row covers; add native
holes or are skeletonized; plants to invite beneficial insects; grow
heads bored; dark green companion plants (especially thyme);
excrement; yellowish eggs laid spray Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)
singly on leaf undersides

Clubroot Fungus Wilted/stunted plants; yellow Destroy infected plants; solarize soil;
leaves; roots appear maintain soil pH of around 7.2; disinfect
swollen/distorted tools; rotate crops

Downy mildew Fungus Yellow, angular spots on Remove plant debris; choose resistant
upper leaf surfaces that turn varieties; ensure good air circulation;
brown; white/purple/gray avoid overhead watering
cottony growth on leaf
undersides only; distorted
leaves; defoliation

Flea beetles Insect Numerous tiny holes in leaves Use row covers; mulch heavily; add
native plants to invite beneficial insects

Slugs/snails Mollusk Irregular holes in leaves; slimy Handpick; avoid thick bark mulch; use
secretion on plants/soil; copper plant collars; avoid overhead
seedlings “disappear” watering; lay boards on soil in evening,
and in morning dispose of “hiding”
Cabbage Pests and Diseases

Pest/Disease Type Symptoms Control/Prevention

pests in hot, soapy water; drown in

deep container filled with 1/2 inch of
beer, or sugar water and yeast, and
sunk so that top edge is slightly above
ground; apply 1-inch-wide strip of food-
grade diatomaceous earth as barrier

Stinkbugs Insect Yellow/white blotches on Destroy crop residue; handpick (bugs

leaves; eggs, often keg-shape, emit odor, wear gloves); destroy eggs;
in clusters on leaf undersides spray nymphs with insecticidal soap;
use row covers; weed; till soil in fall

Thrips Insect Leaves, especially in folds near Remove plant debris; choose resistant
base, have white patches or varieties; add native plants to invite
silver streaks; brown leaf tips; beneficial insects; use row covers; use
blistering/bronzing on straw mulch; monitor adults with
cabbage leaves; curling or yellow or white sticky traps; use
scarring sprinklers or other overhead watering

White mold Fungus Pale gray, “water-soaked” Destroy infected plants; ensure good air
areas on stems, leaves, and circulation; water in morning; weed;
other plant parts that enlarge destroy crop residue; rotating crops on
and develop white, cottony 5-year or longer cycle may help
growth, later with black
particles; bleached areas;
crowns rot; plants
wilt/collapse

Financial Statements

Start-up Costs

Financing & Bank Loan Amortisation

Pro Forma Income Statement

Assumptions

Inputs Quantities and Costs

Revenue And Expenses

Monthly Cash Flow Statement

Pro Forma Annual Cash Flow

Pro Forma Balance Sheet

Break-even Analysis

Payback Period

Financials Graphs

Risk Analysis

Potential Sources of Finance

Equity Financing

Debt Financing

Top reasons for Failure of Cabbage Farming business

Other Business Plans

StartupBiz Global Disc

1. Climate and soil

2. Varieties
3. Propagation
4. Planting
5. Manures and fertilizers
6. Irrigation
7. Intercultural Operations
8. Harvesting and Yield
9. Related resources

Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var capitata) is a small, leafy biennial producing a compact globular
mass of smooth or crincled leaves wrapped over each other known as head. The outer leaves are
generally larger than the inner. The stem is short and stout. Plants flower generally after winter.
Leaves are low in calories (27 per cent), fat (0.1 per cent) and carbohydrates (4.6 per cent).  It is
good sources of protein (1.3 per cent) which contains all essential amino acids, particularly sulphur
containing amino acids. Cabbage is an excellent source of minerals such as calcium (39 mg), iron
(0.8 mg), magnesium (10 mg), sodium (14.1 mg), potassium (114 mg) and phosphorus (44 mg).  It
has substantial amounts of β carotene provitamin A), ascorbic acid, riboflavin, niacin and thiamine. 
Ascorbic acid content varies from 30-65 mg per 100 g fresh weight.
Flavour in cabbage leaves is due to the glycoside sinigrin.  Cabbage contains goitrogens which
cause enlargement of thyroid glands.
The major cabbage producing states are Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Bihar, Assam, West Bengal,
Maharashtra and Karnataka.
Climate and soil

Cultivation of cabbage is done mainly on sandy to heavy soils rich in organic matter. Early crops
prefer light soil while late crops thrive better on heavier soils due to retention of moisture. On heavy
soils, plants grow more slowly and the keeping quality is improved. A pH range of 6.0-6.5 is
considered as optimum for growing cabbage. Plants growing in saline soils are prone to diseases.
In India, cabbage is grown in large areas having a cool and moist climate. A temperature range of
15o-21o C is considered as optimum for growth and head formation of the crop. The intensity of
flowering depends upon the age of the plants and the period for which they are exposed to low
temperatures.
Varieties

Golden acre, Pusa Drum Head, Pride of India, Copenhagen Market, Pusa Mukta, Pusa Synthetic,
Midseason Market, September Early, Early Drum Head, Late Large Drum Head, K-1 are some of the
varieties.
Propagation

Nursery Bed Preparation

The seeds are generally sown in a seed bed and 4-6 week old seedlings are transplanting to the
field. Cabbage seeds are sown on nursery beds to raise seedlings for transplanting in the field.
Raised beds of size 3 x 0.6 m and 10-15 cm in height are prepared. About 70cm distance is kept
between two beds to carry out intercultural operations such as watering, weeding, etc. The surface
of beds should be 2 smooth and well levelled. Well-decomposed FYM @ 2-3 kg/m is added at the
time of bed preparation. Raised beds are necessary to avoid problem of water logging in heavy soils.
To avoid mortality of seedlings due to damping off, drenching of the beds with Bavistin (15-20g/10
litres of water) is effective.
Season of Planting
Sowing time depends upon the variety and the agro-climatic conditions prevailing in a particular
region. Early cabbage is sown during July-November in plains and April-August in hills, as these
require a longer period for their head formation.
Raising of Seedlings
About 300-500g of seed are sufficient for raising nursery required to plant one hectare. Prior to
sowing seeds are treated with fungal culture of Trichoderma viride (4 g/ kg of seed) or Thiram (3g/
kg of seed) to avoid damage from damping-off disease. Sowing should be done thinly in lines
spaced at 5-7 cm distance. Seeds are sown at a depth of 1-2 cm and covered with a fine layer of soil
followed by light watering by water can. The beds should then be covered with dry straw or grass or
sugarcane leaves to maintain required temperature and moisture. The watering should be done by
water can as per the need till germination is completed. The cover of dry straw or grass is removed
immediately after emergence of seed sprout. If there is over crowding of seedling due to thick
sowing, the extra seedlings should be thinned out.
The seedlings should be transplanted within 4-6 weeks of sowing. Older seedlings when
transplanted result in poor growth and yield.
Planting

Land Preparation
The field is ploughed to fine tilth by giving four to five ploughing with a sufficient interval between two
ploughing. Planking should be done for proper levelling. The transplanting is done on the flat land,
ridges or in furrows depending on climate and soil conditions. For early planting, ridge method is
suitable especially in areas where the rains occur at the time of planting. In saline soils, planting in
furrows and in dry areas transplanting on flat beds is recommended.
Spacing
The planting distance may vary according to variety, planting season and soil conditions. The
following distances are generally recommended on the basis of maturity of varieties:

 Early maturity varieties : 45 x 45 or 60 x 30 cm

 Mid : 60 x 45 cm
 Late : 60 x 60 cm or 75 x 60 cm
Method of Planting
Transplanting should be done preferably in the morning or late evening. Before transplanting, the
roots of the seedlings are dipped in a solution of Bavistin (2g/litre of water). Irrigation should be given
immediately after transplanting. In some parts of the country, beds are first irrigated and then the
seedlings are transplanted.
Manures and fertilizers

The fertilizer dose depends upon the fertility of soil and amount of organic manure applied to the
crop. For a good yield, 15-20 tonnes of well-decomposed FYM is incorporated into the soil about 4
weeks before transplanting. Generally, application of 80-120 kg N, 60-100kg P 2O5 and 60-120 kg K2O
is recommended for optimum yield. Half the dose of N and entire amount of P and K is given at the
time of transplanting. The balance N is given six weeks after transplanting or at the time of earthing
up.
Irrigation

First irrigation is given just after transplanting of seedlings and subsequent irritations are given at an
interval of 10-15 days depending upon the season and soil conditions. Care should be taken to avoid
water stress from the time of head formation to the head maturity period. At the time of crop maturity,
irrigation should be avoided as excess irrigation at this stage causes splitting of heads.
Intercultural Operations

Normally, the crop is kept free of weeds by 2-3 hand weedings and 1-2 hoeings. Pre-emergence
application of Fluchloralin (1-2 litres a.i. in 600-700 litres of water) or Nitrofen (2kg a.i./ha) followed
by a hand weeding 60 days after transplanting effectively checks the weed population. If necessary,
earthing up is done 30 days after transplanting. At the time of earthing up the plants are supported
with soil to avoid toppling of the plant during head formation.
Harvesting and Yield

Cabbage is ready for harvest at 90-120 days after planting. Cabbage should be harvested promptly
when the heads are firm and mature. Delaying harvest, even a few days beyond maturity can result
in split heads and increased incidence of field disease.
Harvesting immature heads, however, reduces yield, and the heads are too soft to resist handling
damage. Immature heads also have a shorter shelf life than mature heads.
The head is harvested by bending it to one side and cutting it with a knife. The stalk should be cut
flat and as close to the head as possible, yet long enough to retain two to four wrapper leaves. Extra
leaves act as cushions during handling and may be desired in certain markets. The head should not
be removed by snapping or twisting it since this practice damages the head and results in
inconsistent stalk length. Broken stalks are also more susceptible to decay. As the heads are not
ready for harvest at the same time, therefore they are harvested in stages based on the maturity of
the heads.
Harvested produce should always be stored in shade before packing.
Yield
Yield of the cabbage varies greatly depending upon variety, maturity group and season of cultivation.
Average yield obtained from early varieties is 25-30 t/ha and that of late type is 40-60 t/ha.
Source : NHB