Israeli Farmers Can Get Permits to Use Farms for Other Purposes

Jerusalem, 19 November, 2025 (TPS-IL) — The Authority for Planning and Development of Agriculture, Settlement and the Countryside at Israel’s Ministry of Agriculture is granting permits for the use of agricultural land for other purposes as long as the uses provide public benefits. However, such benefits must be connected in some way to agriculture, other than the growing of crops, etc.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security is offering the permits because it said it recognizes the importance of designating agricultural land for the production of agricultural products to provide food security, but at the same time, its ability to assist in the realization of additional important public goals for the purpose of which the use of agricultural land is required.

The Ministry said the purpose of this procedure is to enable public agricultural activity while determining the conditions and scope necessary for granting a permit for extraordinary use, without harming the designation of the agricultural land and without contradicting the provisions of the law.

The following are the initiatives for the public benefit that the procedure addresses:

Establishing dedicated facilities for rescuing animals, mainly farm animals, that have been abandoned or abused.
Establishing agricultural farms as part of educational frameworks for at-risk youth.
Establishing agricultural farms that provide occupational therapy and therapy through agricultural work for people dealing with post-traumatic symptoms, signs of distress and stress, such as: combat trauma, trauma victims, etc.
Establishing agricultural farms for people with disabilities.