Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture: Suspension of perennial fodder cultivation starting 17 November

The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture announced the approved date for implementing the decision to stop cultivating perennial fodder crops, effective Monday, 17 November 2026, corresponding to 07/06/1448 AH. This comes in line with the directive issued to the Ministry to ban the cultivation of perennial fodder crops gradually within a period not exceeding three years, and to shift toward cultivating seasonal fodder crops. The move is part of the Ministry’s efforts to preserve non-renewable natural resources and achieve the Kingdom’s water security targets.
The Ministry clarified that the decision applies to all areas planted with perennial fodder crops in the sedimentary shelf regions, in accordance with the regulations governing the implementation of Council of Ministers Resolution No. (66) dated 25/02/1437 AH. It noted that 296 days remain before the start of implementation, within the framework of gradual preparedness to enforce the decision according to approved mechanisms.
The Ministry confirmed that the approved regulations include halting the cultivation of perennial green fodder crops and transitioning to seasonal fodder cultivation under the approved mechanism. This shift has a direct impact on reducing the depletion of non-renewable groundwater, improving the efficiency of natural resource use, and preserving them in a way that supports agricultural sustainability in line with the objectives of the National Agricultural Strategy.
It is worth noting that perennial fodder crops consume approximately 32,000 cubic meters of water per hectare annually, while seasonal fodder crops consume no more than 9,000 cubic meters per hectare, highlighting the significant impact of this decision on conserving non-renewable water resources.