• Based on the Council of Ministers Resolution No. (439) dated 06-06-1445 AH, allowing local agricultural companies and major farmers to cultivate wheat and seasonal fodder according to the regulations set by the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture, and in accordance with the powers granted to the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture based on paragraph (6) of Article (Twelve) of the Agriculture Law, issued by Royal Decree No. (M/64) dated 10-08-1442 AH, which entrusted the ministry with the organization and management of plant wealth, the development of its natural resources, supervision and control over it, and working to protect it, and to the Water Law, issued by Royal Decree No. (M/159) dated 11-11-1441 AH, which focuses on managing, organizing, and governing water resources and monitoring their uses to ensure sustainability for all purposes and activities, and to the targets for reducing the consumption of non-renewable groundwater in the agricultural sector according to the National Water Strategy, approved by Council of Ministers Resolution No. (277) dated 06-05-1439 AH, these regulations have been issued to organize the granting of licenses for the cultivation of wheat and seasonal fodder to local agricultural companies and major farmers covered by Council of Ministers Resolution No. (439) dated 06-06-1445 AH.

• The gradual cessation of planting perennial fodder - within a plan approved by the Minister - over a period not exceeding three years, and the transition to planting seasonal fodder with a maximum of (50) hectares for each holder of an agricultural license.

• The scope of the cessation applies to all licensed farmers for planting green fodder in the sedimentary areas, in accordance with the regulations for implementing the Council of Ministers' Decision No. (66) dated 25-02-1437 AH, which mandates the cessation of planting green fodder.

• To implement the agricultural rotation, those who have been issued a license to plant wheat, based on the Council of Ministers' Decision No. (192) dated 4-4-1440 AH, may obtain a license to plant seasonal fodder in the same area licensed for wheat cultivation.

• First: The drilling of new wells for the cultivation of wheat and seasonal fodder on the sedimentary ridge is not permitted, and only existing wells in the licensed farm may be used. Licenses may be granted for maintenance, cleaning, or deepening of these wells if needed, in accordance with the regulations governing these licenses.

• Second: Local agricultural companies and large farmers may not begin planting wheat and seasonal fodder until they obtain a license for the use of the water source (wells) in accordance with the regulations governing this, while committing to use water-saving methods with an irrigation efficiency of no less than 75%.

• Third: The licensee is obligated to plant wheat and seasonal fodder once a year, starting for wheat at the beginning of the planting season and ending at the end of the harvest season, and for seasonal fodder starting in the winter season and ending at the end of spring, within a period not exceeding (180) days/year.

• Fourth: The licensee is obligated not to exceed the area licensed for cultivation.

• Fifth: The authority shall purchase the wheat crop from the licensees, according to the quantities licensed by the Ministry, not exceeding one and a half million tons each year, at prices determined periodically in agreement between the Ministry and the Ministry of Finance.

• Sixth: The total area allocated for local agricultural companies and large farmers for wheat cultivation in sedimentary ridge areas shall not exceed (50) thousand hectares, depending on the availability of infrastructure and existing well licenses.

• Seventh: Wheat cultivation may not commence until the necessary license is obtained from the Ministry, specifying (the area, farm coordinates, licensed area, and type of crop), and in accordance with the organized procedural pathway for that.

• Eighth: The cultivation of seasonal fodder is only permitted with the application of crop rotation, and the Ministry issues the necessary license to implement this.

• Ninth: Regarding the cultivation of seasonal fodder for local agricultural companies and large farmers, licenses will not be issued until three years from the date of the Council of Ministers Resolution No. (439) dated 6/6/1445 AH, and the implementation of the ban on the cultivation of perennial fodder comes into effect, and in accordance with the reports on the status and levels of water in the aquifers in each agricultural area approved by the Ministry.

• Tenth: The licensee is obligated, before starting the cultivation of wheat and seasonal fodder, to install meters and data transmitters on all wells in the area licensed for cultivation, according to the specifications set by the Ministry, and under its supervision, in accordance with the regulations governing that.

• Eleventh: Compliance with the water quotas for these two crops during their seasonal cultivation period is required, and they must not be exceeded.

• Twelfth: The licensee is obligated not to plant other crops or engage in any agricultural activities in the areas designated for the cultivation of these two crops.

• Thirteenth: The Ministry may grant a seasonal fodder license for additional areas if the water source is renewable water that meets the standards adopted by the Ministry and the Saudi Irrigation Organization.

• The licensee is obligated to allow the Ministry inspectors to carry out their monitoring and inspection duties. In the event of a breach of any of these conditions or obligations, the penalties stipulated in the Agriculture System, issued by Royal Decree (M/64) dated 10-08-1442 AH, and the Water System, issued by Royal Decree No. (M/159) dated 11-11-1441 AH, and their executive regulations shall be applied against him.

• First: The applicant shall submit the required data through the "Namaa" platform and attach the necessary documents.

• Second: The Ministry shall review the claim and respond within (10) working days.

• Third: The license shall be issued for the seasonal farming period, for a duration not exceeding three years.

• Objections to the refusal to grant licenses are considered by a committee formed by a decision of the Minister, consisting of three members chaired by a legal or regulatory specialist. An appeal may be filed against the committee's decision before the Administrative Court in accordance with its regulations.

(Undertaking)

To: The Honorable Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture

Peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings

Referring to my application submitted to the Ministry for the cultivation of ( ) wheat ( ) seasonal fodder

In the name of ................................................................................................... National ID No. ..........................................................................

Commercial Register ............................................ Developed Agricultural Register ................................ on my agricultural land located in the area of ............................ in the Governorate of ..................................

I hereby undertake before the Ministry that I have reviewed the (regulations related to allowing local agricultural companies and major farmers to cultivate wheat and seasonal fodder) and I commit to implementing them.

Name of the licensee: ..............................................................

Commercial Register / Developed Agricultural Register: ..................................

Mobile/Contact Number: .......................................................

Signature: ............................................................................

Title: ..............................................................................