By the end of 2020, Madar Farms to establish the world’s first commercial-scale indoor tomato farm in Abu Dhabi.

The UAE-based agricultural tech company revealed its plans for the multi-million dirham facility during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, and has partnered with Certhon, Inno-3B, and Signify to operate the 5,000 square meter facility currently under construction at Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi.

“Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi is the ideal location for the new farm. Situated half-way between Dubai and Abu Dhabi, we will be able to transport our daily harvests to each Emirate in just hours rather than days.”

The facility, which will also grow microgreens, is expected to be fully operational by the end of this year and will triple the amount of microgreens grown by Madar Farms currently.

All grown harvest will be distributed locally in UAE and will be available for purchase.

As part of its assurance of sustainable farming methods, the tomatoes will be grown using the most water-efficient system in the world.

Madar Farms will use 30% less water per kilogram of tomatoes compared to even the highest tech greenhouses.

Abdulaziz AlMulla, CEO and co-founder of Madar Farms, said: “Our new high-tech farming facility is an innovative moment for Madar Farms.

“As the population in the UAE continues to grow and there’s more focus on sustainability, the new farm will help to meet this increasing demand and give UAE consumers more options to have the superior quality fresh locally grown produce.