Law of Allotment of Uncultivated Land

The Law of Allotment of Uncultivated Land in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is the set of legal rules governing lands designated by a resolution from the Council of Ministers, subject to specific conditions outlined in the Law of Allotment of Uncultivated Land. The law outlines the process for allotting uncultivated lands in the Kingdom. It specifies how these lands will be assessed and allocated, as well as the authority responsible for inspecting them to ensure compliance with the provisions of the Law on Allotment of Uncultivated Land.

The Law of Allotment of Uncultivated Land in the Kingdom was issued in 1968. The law consists of twelve articles, of which only one was amended, Article Ten, in 2004.

The provisions outlined in the Law of Uncultivated Land apply specifically to uncultivated lands and detail the criteria for their selection. It establishes general rules for allotting uncultivated lands to individuals qualified to utilize them.

The law also defines the duties of the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture in technically overseeing the allotted lands and monitoring the intentions of those granted permission to invest in them. Under a decision from the minister, the jurisdiction may be revoked from anyone deemed incompetent in land investment or who lacks seriousness within a specified timeframe, following a two-month warning. In such cases, the land can be reallocated to another individual for investment, with the new recipient required to pay for the expenses spent by the previous investor as compensation.

The Law of Allotment of Uncultivated Land in the Kingdom defines uncultivated land as land that lacks property rights or jurisdiction and is situated outside urban boundaries. Additionally, it must be proven that the land can be economically utilized for agricultural or livestock production.

The Law on the Allotment of Uncultivated Land in the Kingdom assigns the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture the responsibility of allocating uncultivated lands to qualified individuals for utilization. Each allocation must not be less than five ha and cannot exceed ten ha under any condition for individuals, while companies may be allocated up to four hundred ha. The timeframe for investing in uncultivated land for agricultural or livestock production is limited to a period of two to three years.

The Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture identifies which plots of land will be allotted. These allocations are made through a decision by the Minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture based on proposals from a committee that includes representatives from the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture, the Ministry of Interior, and the Ministry of Finance. Additionally, a representative from the Presiding Judges, appointed by the Chief Justice, and two experts from the province are also part of this authority.

The Law of Allotment of Uncultivated Land in the Kingdom specifies the eligibility criteria for individuals who wish to utilize uncultivated lands. To qualify, applicants must be Saudis, although this requirement can be waived by a decision from the Council of Ministers. Additionally, applicants need to have the capacity to practice and must not have previously acquired land for which they can provide proof of ownership rights. The preference for allotment is determined in the following order: the owners of land adjacent to the uncultivated areas to be allotted, the residents of the province, individuals who are most capable of investment, agricultural professionals, and those without any land ownership.

The individual in whose favor the allotment decision was made has jurisdiction over the land specified in the decision. This individual is required to invest in the land within the timeframe stated. The land is deemed to be agriculturally developed if at least 25 percent of its area is irrigated in a way that facilitates actual production. In terms of livestock, the land is considered employed if the gravity of animal production is demonstrated within the investment period. Additionally, the individual who received the allotment decision will have ownership rights over the land.

If a person who has received an allotment decision invests in the land and the designated investment period ends, they will officially own the allocated land. This ownership is confirmed by a decision from the Minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture, which is not considered effective until it is approved by the king or his delegate.

Disputes arising from the implementation of the Law of Allotment of Uncultivated Land in the Kingdom are reviewed by a committee established within the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture. This committee includes representatives from the ministry, as well as delegates from the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Interior, including a legal advisor. The decisions made by the committee are approved by the Minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture. Additionally, anyone who disagrees with a decision issued by this committee has the right to file a grievance before the Board of Grievances within sixty days of being notified of the decision.