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

The request was made when met with U.S. Special Envoy for Global Food Security, Cary Fowler, during his visit to the American nation.

Specifically, he identified key areas where Nigeria would require urgent support, stating: “We seek the support of the United States government, be it technical or otherwise, towards addressing challenges in our agricultural sector.”

Shettima continued: “Mechanisation is absolutely essential, good quality seeds, fertilisation, improved agricultural practices, smart agriculture, these are the solutions we seek because the whole mantra is on increase in 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.”

He reassured the envoy of the Tinubu administration’s commitment to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to improve agricultural productivity, not only in the country, but also across Africa.

According to him, Nigeria will sustain existing relationships with partners in the agricultural sector, even as he noted 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 to overcome the challenges. I believe with your support (the political will is there now more than ever before), together, we can save humanity and serve the human race,” Shettima added.

Responding, the American disclosed that his government, in partnership with other stakeholders, had launched an agricultural initiative, assuring that Africa would be prioritised.

He said: “What we are trying to do here in the U.S., which we coined the ‘Vision for Adapted Crops and Soil’, is a partnership between the U.S., African Union (AU) and Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).”

Shettima, who attended the Belt and Road Initiative in China, before proceeding to the United States, is expected in Nigeria at the weekend.