Red cabbage cultivation is gaining popularity in Noakhali costal area, where farmers are happy with the harvest and price this season.
The vitamin-enriched cabbage is growing in areas like Ewasbalia, Boyer Char, Char King, in South Hatiya  along the Meghna River in Noakhali district.
Red cabbage is rich in several vitamins, including vitamins A, C and K, as well as the minerals -- potassium and manganese. Red cabbage, in addition to polyphenols, is rich in beta-carotene, which offers antioxidant benefits.
Agriculturalist Nasimul Haque said red cabbage remain fresh for a longer time after its harvest.
According to sources, currently, it is being sold at Tk 65 against Tk 100 to120 per kg in the first week of December.
Red cabbage can be harvested in 60 to 70 days and 10 tonnes of red cabbage can be produced on one hectare of land, said some growers. In two upazilas -- Sadar and Hatiya -- farmers have made good profit from cultivation of red cabbage.
When contacted, Hatiya agricultural officer said fertile soil and river bank areas are suitable for cultivation of this variety of cabbage. Farmers there have been cultivating the variety of cabbage over the past three years.
In the two upazilas, 17, 000 hectares of land was brought under its cultivation this year against last year’s 1200 hectares.
Rubel, a marginal farmer, said he cultivated red cabbage on 40 decimals of land using modern technology and got bumper production in January. He has already sold cabbage worth nearly Tk 30,000. Zinnat Ali, another farmer, said agricultural officers do not come to their place from upazila sadar for its long distance. If the farmers of the remote areas get proper assistance from the government they would be more benefited, the farmers said.