The lessee should also abide by rules on water sharing and irrigation systems as specified by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries
Ministerial decision issued to regulate agricultural land lease in Oman
(MENAFN - Muscat Daily) H E Saif al Shabibi, Minister of Housing, has issued a decision to regulate the allotment of agricultural land in border areas in the governorate of Buraimi.
The decision is based on Royal Decree 5/80 on the issuance of Lands Law, on the Government Land Entitlement System issued by Royal Decree 81/84, and on the Land Registry Law issued by Royal Decree 2/98, a press release said.
This ministerial decision 15/2013 states that agricultural land in the governorate should be made available for rent only to those citizens and Omani companies investing solely in agriculture. The companies should be fully owned by Omanis. The leased land cannot be owned and that priority should be given to Omani agriculturists from the governorate.
The decision does not allow for erecting a building on the land unless it is required for agricultural use and with permission from authorities. The lease contract should be renewed annually and the lessee should utilise a minimum of 50 per cent of the land in three years from the date of the lease. If not, the lease will be withdrawn, the decision states.
The lessee should also abide by rules on water sharing and irrigation systems as specified by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries.
The right to rent out the land can be transferred to legal heirs only on the condition that it is given for agricultural purposes. Current contracts with non-Omanis are not to be renewed if the land has not been utilised in the way specified.
