Vice President Kashim Shettima has reiterated the commitment of President Bola Tinubu’s administration to transform agriculture as a pathway to curb insecurity and improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers.

Mr Shettima said this on Monday in a statement by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President.

The vice president, who spoke with the official of an American company, John Deere, in the United States, said,  “Without mechanisation, you can never be truly self-sufficient in food production.”

He also said Mr Tinubu’s administration was fully committed to revitalising the Nigerian agricultural sector.

“And for us to be self-sufficient in food production, three key elements are essential. First is certified seeds, then mechanisation, provision of fertiliser and, of course, agricultural extension services.”

He explained that the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZs) were designed to provide the infrastructure, platform, and framework for the private sector.

According to him, this will enable the private sector to add value to Nigeria’s agricultural produce for domestic and regional markets and the global community.

Mr Shettima assured investors that Nigeria was open for partnership, adding, “We are open for discussions, for conversations towards fast-tracking the whole process.

“My principal, President Tinubu, is very eager to see that the full potential of the Nigerian agricultural sector is realised,” the vice president said. 

He recounted that Mr Tinubu had declared a state of emergency on food security to address challenges in the agricultural sector. 

Earlier, the company’s Vice President on Production Systems, Jason Brantley, said it had resolved to set up a tractor assembly plant in Nigeria.

Mr Brantley hoped the project would unlock Nigeria’s agricultural potential by creating an organised approach to tractor-clearing services for smallholder farmers nationwide.

He said the initiative to establish a tractor assembly plant would require zero investment from the government.

“While credit guarantees will be needed to help make credit available at an affordable rate for interested persons or groups,” he said.

(NAN)