Small Livestock Breeders Support in Saudi Arabia: How to Prepare
Small livestock breeders support in Saudi Arabia via Reef and the Naama platform: what is known, and how to get your herd count, tags and records ready.
In Saudi Arabia, support for small livestock breeders comes mainly through the Sustainable Agricultural Rural Development Programme, known as Reef, while services such as livestock tagging requests and the breeder record run on the Naama platform with a Nafath login. Conditions, amounts and dates change, so read them on the official pages only. What you control: an accurate count, tagged animals and clean records.
"Small breeders support" is one of the most searched livestock topics in the Kingdom, and plenty of messages and videos circulate about it, some outdated or simply wrong. So this article does not state any condition or amount as fact. It explains what is generally known, then focuses on the part you control: being ready with your data whenever you apply to an official programme or service.
What is known about support and official services
- Reef programme: a government programme that supports small farmers, livestock breeders and rural families across several farming and livestock activities. The type of support, eligibility, amounts and registration windows are announced on the programme's official page and can change from one round to the next.
- Naama platform (naama.sa): the online gateway for livestock services, including the "livestock tagging request". You log in with Nafath, the service is linked to a breeder record, and it asks for the number of animals and their location. We cover the general steps in the Naama livestock tagging request.
- Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MEWA): the reference for veterinary rules, vaccination and identification. Ask your regional branch if anything is unclear.
A simple rule: any condition or amount you cannot find on the official Reef, Naama or MEWA pages should be treated as unconfirmed.
What to prepare before any application
Programmes differ, but most official services need you to know your herd precisely. This is a practical list that prepares you for any request. It is not a list of official conditions:
| What to prepare | Why it helps | Where it comes from |
|---|---|---|
| An active Nafath account on your phone | Government platforms use it to log in | The Nafath app in your name |
| An up-to-date breeder record | Naama services are tied to breeder status | The Naama platform |
| An accurate count by species and sex | The number you write must match your pens | A physical count or a live, updated record |
| Clear identification for every head | Proves ownership and eases any inspection | Official tags plus your own farm numbers |
| Birth and death records | Explain changes in your count over time | Notebook or app |
| Vaccination records | May be asked for during a vet inspection | Your vet's cards and your records |
| Sales and purchase records | Show animals coming in and going out | Invoices and your records |
| The exact location of your pens | To locate and reach the animals | A map pin from your phone |
Common mistakes that delay or weaken an application
- Trusting forwarded messages: conditions shared on WhatsApp may belong to an earlier round. Only the official page counts.
- Guessing the count: writing "about 80 head" when there are 64 in the pens damages credibility. Count before you apply.
- Untagged animals or duplicate numbers: two animals with one number or a lost tag confuses any inspection. If you have no system, start with livestock numbering and tag colours.
- An outdated breeder record: old details or a wrong location are a frequent cause of delays.
- Sharing your Nafath login: never give your code or password to anyone offering to "speed up support". Apply yourself from the official account.
- Not following up: after submitting, check the status in your account; do not assume it is complete.
Keep your records in Throf and answer any request in minutes
The difference between a breeder who applies easily and one who struggles is usually the records. When every animal is recorded with its number and colour, and every birth, death and sale is logged on the day, the exact count is in front of you at any moment.
In Throf each animal has a file with number and tag colour, breed, sex, birth date, weight, dam, sire and group, and you can:
- See your count by class (unweaned, young stock, adults, mothers, breeding males), because classification by age and sex is automatic.
- Record vaccinations and treatments for an animal or a whole group, with reminders for the next dates set by your vet.
- Log births, deaths and sales, so the count moves with every event, with a dead-animals report and a sales report.
- Export Excel reports for the whole farm or a group, such as the age-and-sex classification report, ready to show when needed.
If your current records are in Excel, import them in one go. For what to record per animal and per event, read sheep records: what to record. Small herds can start on the free plan; details are on the pricing page.
Practical steps before you apply
- Open the official page of the Reef programme or the Naama platform and read the current conditions and registration window.
- Check Nafath and your breeder record, including your details and location.
- Do a full count, pen by pen, and compare it with your records.
- Fix identification: replace lost tags and correct duplicate numbers.
- Gather the last year's records: births, deaths with cause, vaccinations, sales and purchases.
- Apply yourself, keep the request number and follow its status.
FAQ
What are the conditions for small livestock breeders support in Saudi Arabia?
Conditions and amounts are set by the responsible body and change between rounds, so check the official Reef, Naama or MEWA pages. In any case, have an updated breeder record, an accurate count and tagged animals ready.
How do I register for Reef support as a livestock breeder?
Registration goes through the Reef programme's official channels during the windows it announces. Do not rely on intermediaries and never share your Nafath login.
Do I need a breeder record on Naama?
Services such as the livestock tagging request on Naama are linked to the breeder record, so it is best to have yours active and up to date before any application.
How can I know my exact herd count before applying?
Count pen by pen, or rely on a live record updated with every birth, death, sale and purchase, such as Throf records that show the count by class.
General guidance only — it does not replace your veterinarian or the competent authority in your country.
