The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has settled the debate surrounding water-intensive crops, officially announcing that Monday, November 17, 2026 (corresponding to 07/06/1448 AH), will be the final and mandatory date for ceasing the cultivation of perennial fodder crops in sedimentary aquifers. This announcement comes in compliance with higher directives mandating the gradual implementation of the decision over a specific timeframe, to ensure a smooth transition for farmers towards sustainable alternatives.
The ministry confirmed in its statement that the countdown to actual implementation has begun, as the remaining period has become a final corrective grace period, which requires farmers and investors in the agricultural sector to take advantage of this transitional period to adjust their situations and move towards approved alternatives that ensure the continuity of their activities without harming the Kingdom’s water resources.
Shocking figures on water depletion
Through this radical shift, the Ministry aims to address the enormous disparity in water consumption rates. Official statistics and water studies have revealed that perennial fodder crops (such as alfalfa) consume approximately 32,000 cubic meters of water per hectare annually. In contrast, data indicates that switching to seasonal fodder crops will significantly reduce consumption, as their water requirements do not exceed 9,000 cubic meters per hectare. This will conserve vast quantities of non-renewable groundwater, equivalent to saving millions of cubic meters annually across the Kingdom.
Historical and strategic context of the decision
This decision is not a spur-of-the-moment one, but rather an implementation of the provisions of Cabinet Resolution No. 66, which represents the cornerstone of Saudi Arabia's water security strategy. The roots of this approach lie in the Kingdom's early recognition of the dangers of depleting groundwater aquifers in sedimentary aquifers—non-renewable water layers that have formed over thousands of years. For years, the Kingdom has been taking serious steps to reduce water-intensive agricultural practices, starting with wheat cultivation and extending to regulating the cultivation of green fodder, in order to balance food security with water security.
Economic and environmental dimensions
This decision has implications that extend beyond local concerns. Environmentally, it contributes to halting desertification and preserving strategic water reserves for future generations. Economically, it encourages the agricultural sector to adopt modern technologies such as hydroponics and greenhouses, and to focus on crops with high economic value and low water requirements. This approach also reinforces the Kingdom's strategy of diversifying feed sources through imports, creating a new dynamic in the regional and international feed market.
The ministry stressed at the end of its statement that the shift to seasonal agriculture is no longer a luxury option, but an urgent necessity to achieve agricultural sustainability and raise the efficiency of natural resource use in accordance with the objectives of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, which places quality of life and resource sustainability at the forefront of its priorities.
