Najran Seasonal Fodder Boosts Livestock, Food Security

Seasonal fodder cultivation in Najran is emerging as a key support for the region's livestock sector and local food security, with farms covering about 990 hectares and producing around 16,000 tons The main crops are alfalfa (bersim) and sorghum (dhura rafia).

Officials describe seasonal fodder as a pillar of Najran's agricultural landscape, integrated with broader plans that include agri-food investments and logistics projects in Najran Economic City. The focus is increasingly on low-water-requirement crops such as sorghum and improved forage systems, keeping feed available for livestock while reducing reliance on water-intensive green fodder.

New water rules take effect

The activity is moving forward alongside a nationwide decision to conserve non-renewable water resources. Perennial (long-lived) fodder cultivation across Saudi Arabia, including Najran, is scheduled to be halted starting 16 November 2026. Large farmers and agricultural companies will be limited to seasonal fodder crops and wheat, with a maximum of 50 hectares of seasonal fodder. Najran is explicitly included among the regions covered by these restrictions.

New wells for irrigating seasonal fodder and wheat are not permitted in Najran. Only existing licensed farm wells may be used, and only for maintenance, cleaning, or deepening under an approved water-use license. Starting seasonal fodder cultivation requires a water-source use license from the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, along with a commitment to water-saving irrigation methods achieving at least 75% irrigation efficiency.

For Najran's farming community, the changes signal a shift toward more sustainable production: maintaining feed for livestock and strengthening food security while protecting scarce groundwater for the long term.

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