NOVAGRIC Projects
The largest greenhouse for top quality Cherry Tomato
Novagric has carried out a project of cutting-edge technological greenhouses for high-yield cherry tomato production.
This project, designed for the company OP Looije, with which they have been working for over 10 years, has been executed in three phases since 2019 and has managed to exceed 30 kg/m² of annual production, positioning itself as a model of efficiency and profitability in modern agriculture.
With this new expansion, they have achieved consistent annual production, aimed at ensuring fruit quality, system sustainability, and high competitiveness in the European market.
An innovative design adapted to the real needs of cherry tomato cultivation
The goal was to expand their facilities with systems capable of controlling all the variables affecting crop development and to achieve a uniform and productive tomato yield throughout the 12 months of the year, resulting in fruits with high firmness, flavor, and shine.
“We have designed a new technological greenhouse tailored to the client’s needs, where the optimization of solar radiation is a priority to achieve high yield and quality in hydroponic cherry tomato cultivation.” says Juan Pardo, technical manager at Novagric
In Spain, it is not common to build a 7.2-hectare greenhouse in a single module, but Jacqueline lists its advantages: It’s more efficient because only one team is needed to manage the greenhouse. Moreover, I only have to control the climate of one single greenhouse. If I had three, I would need three separate climate systems.
Expansions that break production records
The project has been strategically developed in three phases, each with larger cultivation modules, which has facilitated a progressive and optimized management of available resources.
In 2019, a 5-hectare greenhouse was inaugurated, followed by another module in 2022 of 7.3 hectares, achieving a production of 27 kg/m², and recently the final phase has been launched with high-tech multi-tunnel greenhouses. This organized growth has allowed:
- Reducing operational costs
- Improving personnel management efficiency
- Maximizing yield with each new expansion
The combination of detailed planning, flawless technical execution, and a commitment to innovation has made it possible to go from 21 kilos per square meter to surpassing the record of 30 kg/m² of cherry tomatoes. And the projections for the current season aim to reach 33 kg/m², consolidating this greenhouse as a benchmark of what technology can achieve in modern intensive agriculture.
“Thanks to this technology, we have managed to reduce the harvest time to just 8 weeks after planting, even in months with fewer daylight hours. We have to say that the quality is really good and uniform. We planted on time, as Novagric met the project deadlines and was always available to answer all our questions,” says Jacqueline, director of Looije Águilas.
Some pictures of our project in Murcia (SPAIN)
Project details
Type
Protected Agriculture Turnkey Project
Location
Murcia (SPAIN)
Cultivation
Cherry tomato
Surface
18 Hectares
- APR Lux Gothic Multi-Tunnel Greenhouse
- Forced and natural ventilation
- XILEMA Fertigation System
- CLIMATEC Climate Control
- Automated thermal screens, which help conserve heat during the night, stabilize the microclimate, and reduce energy consumption.
- Elevated growing channels, which prevent direct contact with the soil, reduce the use of phytosanitary products, improve work ergonomics, and enhance the quality of the final product.
- Orientation optimization, with channels arranged facing south to ensure uniform and constant natural lighting for all plants.
- Smart hydroponic irrigation system and drainage channels, enabling precise water and nutrient management, improving water efficiency and reducing waste.
- Design, manufacture and execution of the installations
- Water and electrical calculations
- Logistic organization
- Installation control and start-up
- Technical support
- Increased cherry tomato production exceeding 30 kg/m²
- Improved crop quality
- On-time assembly and system installation
- Year-round cultivation and uniform production
- Resolution of questions and issues
- Adherence to deadlines
- Easy climate control management
- Cost reduction with greater comfort and production efficiency
- Increased workplace safety
See How the Largest Cherry Tomato Greenhouse is Built 🍅
Here you can watch the construction of the 2nd phase of this project.
It was the largest greenhouse ever built in Spain as a single module, with an expected production increase to 27 kg/m², but the results far exceeded expectations, reaching 29.2 kilos of tomatoes per square meter.
Company