Vice-President Kashim Shettima has sought the assistance of the United States government on President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s food security agenda.

The vice-president’s media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday.

Mr Shettima made the request when he met with Cary Fowler, U.S. special envoy for Global Food Security, as part of his schedule in the United States, said the statement.

The vice-president also identified key areas where Nigeria would require urgent support to overcome challenges in the agricultural sector.

“We seek the support of the United States government, be it technical or otherwise, towards addressing challenges in our agricultural sector. Mechanisation is absolutely essential; good-quality seeds, fertilisation, improved agricultural practices, smart agriculture—these are the solutions we seek,” Mr Shettima explained.

He added, “Because the whole mantra is about increasing yield, it is about improving productivity. It goes beyond the acreage that is used for production. So, I am here surrounded by other stakeholders who have all the figures, facts, and knowledge to make this partnership easy and smooth sailing.”

Mr Shettima assured the U.S. envoy of the Nigerian government’s readiness to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to improve agricultural productivity across Africa.

He said Nigeria would sustain existing relationships with partners in the agricultural sector, adding that the country would nurture the alliance.

“We will nurture it because, more than ever before, we are facing food security challenges. We have to think outside the box; we have to look for ingenious solutions that can help us overcome the challenges,” Mr Shettima noted.

He added, “I believe that with your support (the political will is there now more than ever before), together we can save humanity and serve the human race.”

Responding, Mr Fowler, who disclosed that the U.S. government, in partnership with other stakeholders, had launched an agricultural initiative, assured that Africa would be prioritised.

He disclosed that the programme would look at indigenous African crops that have long suffered from massive underinvestment.

“We have established a multi-donor trust fund at the IFAD to provide long-term funding for the programme and USAID is also involved. The US government has allocated 100 million dollars to the programme,” said Mr Fowler.

Mr Shettima, who attended the Belt and Road Initiative in China before proceeding to the U.S., is expected back in Nigeria at the weekend.

(NAN)