It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) that Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said: Whoever cultivates barren land, it belongs to him. Imam Malik (may Allah have mercy on him) said: In our view, this is the ruling.
Hadith Referenceموطا امام مالك رواية يحييٰ / كتاب الرهون / 1441