The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture responded to the demands of farmers and beneficiaries, announcing an extension of the deadline for obtaining licenses for the use of well water by an additional year, in a step aimed at facilitating licensing procedures, regulating groundwater use, and supporting water sustainability and continuity of agricultural and economic activities.

The decision comes a day after 'Al-Yaum' published an extensive report monitoring the most prominent challenges facing farmers in the Eastern Region as the previous deadline approached, where a number of farmers and agricultural sector experts called for an extension of the deadline and granting beneficiaries additional time to complete licensing requirements, stressing that the tight timeframe and multiplicity of technical and administrative procedures prevent the completion of applications within the specified period.

Well Licenses

The ministry explained that the extension aims to facilitate procedures for obtaining well water use licenses, regulate groundwater use, contribute to achieving sustainable water use, and ensure the continuity of beneficiaries' activities without impact.

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The decision includes licenses for well use for agricultural activities, including local agricultural companies and large wheat farmers, in addition to licenses for well use for water desalination activities and bottled water plants.

The ministry affirmed that the decision targets individuals, government agencies, business sector, and non-profit sector, calling on all beneficiaries to take advantage of the new deadline and complete licensing procedures before its expiration on 5 Safar 1449 AH. It stressed that viewing the terms and conditions and applying for the service is available through its official channels, ensuring that applications are completed in accordance with regulatory requirements.

Well Licenses in the Eastern Region

Earlier, 'Al-Yaum' published a field report titled '20 Additional Days for Disclosure Deadline: Al-Yaum Monitors Eastern Region Farmers' Proposals for Well Licenses,' in which it conveyed the demands of a number of farmers to extend the deadline to between 15 and 20 days. They indicated that some procedures, such as obtaining certain documents, completing technical requirements, and the varying ability of beneficiaries to use electronic platforms, require additional time. The report also included proposals to develop notification channels, intensify awareness and guidance campaigns, allocate support offices for farmers, and accelerate and simplify procedures, contributing to raising compliance rates and completing well water use licenses according to approved regulations.