The Ministry of Environment launches a digital service for obtaining permits to lease livestock projects
In a strategic move reflecting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's commitment to developing its digital infrastructure and improving the business environment, the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture launched the digital "Animal Project Leasing Permit" service. This initiative is part of a broader effort to regulate leasing operations in the agricultural and livestock sectors according to precise standards, ensuring the protection of contractual rights for both landlords and lessees, and enhancing compliance with applicable regulations and legislation.
Service details and work mechanism
The new service allows investors to obtain permits electronically through the ministry's approved platforms, directly contributing to streamlining procedures, reducing processing times, and enhancing transparency in this vital sector. The user's journey begins with accepting the user agreement, followed by automated data verification and submission of required attachments, culminating in a final review to ensure the accuracy of the information before official approval.
To ensure a seamless user experience, applicants receive a reference number and a dedicated link immediately upon completion of the process, enabling them to track their application in real time until a final decision is issued. The ministry also provides a flexible option allowing for permit cancellation should the investor wish to terminate the contractual relationship before its expiry, within a framework that safeguards the rights of all parties.
Eligibility requirements and the "3 attempts" rule
The ministry has established several requirements to ensure the seriousness and efficiency of operations. These include a valid operating license for poultry projects held by the lessor, and linking the issuance of the permit to a valid lease agreement. The ministry also emphasized that a single lease agreement cannot be used to obtain more than one permit. Among the system's key advantages is the lessee's right to reapply using the same lease number up to three times if the lessor rejects the application, provided that all regulations and decisions governing the sector are fully compliant.
Strategic context and digital transformation
This announcement cannot be viewed in isolation from the broader context of Saudi Vision 2030, which prioritizes digital transformation to enhance government performance. Since the Vision's launch, the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture has been working to automate its services to reduce paperwork and bureaucracy, thereby facilitating the entry of investors and entrepreneurs into the agricultural sector without administrative hurdles. This service is part of a long series of digital services (such as the Nama platform) aimed at creating an accurate and up-to-date database to support decision-making.
Economic impact and enhanced food security
Regulating the relationship between landlords and tenants in livestock projects is of paramount importance, extending beyond administrative aspects to encompass direct economic impact. Stable contractual relationships ensure the sustainability of production in poultry and livestock projects, which are cornerstones of the Kingdom's food security strategy. By minimizing disputes and guaranteeing the rights of all parties, the Ministry encourages increased investment in this sector, contributing to higher self-sufficiency rates for animal products and strengthening the stability of food supply chains both locally and regionally, particularly in light of the global challenges facing the food sector.
