Isong, who also serves as the Country Director of the Nigeria World Agriculture Forum, raised the concern during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, warning that the anticipated shortages could trigger another round of food inflation and place additional financial pressure on millions of households already struggling with high food prices.
According to him, current production forecasts indicate a decline in the output of several major food crops, with rice expected to record one of the most significant drops.
He said rice production is projected to decline by six per cent to approximately 8.3 million tonnes, while the total area under cultivation could fall by seven per cent to about 4.2 million hectares.
“Rice is the big one. Production is projected to drop six per cent to 8.3 million tonnes. The area planted is down seven per cent to 4.2 million hectares.
“The United States Department of Agriculture confirms a five per cent decrease year-on-year. Tomatoes are another headache.”
Isong explained that lower production levels and reduced planting activities are likely to reduce the volume of food reaching major markets across the country, potentially leading to shortages and higher prices.
He noted that tomato supply could remain constrained until the late harvest season expected in October, while staple grains such as maize, sorghum and millet may also come under pressure because of reduced planting recorded during the 2025 farming season.
Beyond production challenges, he pointed to the rising cost of transporting agricultural produce across Nigeria, describing logistics as a major contributor to increasing food prices.
“Moving a tonne of grain from Kano to Lagos now costs N70,000. It used to be N45,000. On some routes, transport fares have doubled or even tripled. Energy is another killer.”
He added that onions and peppers are already experiencing supply shortages in key producing regions, resulting in sharp price increases in several markets.
The OTACCWA president also observed that Nigeria will continue to rely heavily on imported wheat, with an estimated 7.2 million tonnes expected to be brought into the country to meet local demand.
According to Isong, the country's food supply challenges are being driven by a combination of insecurity in farming communities, declining agricultural output, weak supply chains and inadequate storage infrastructure.
He said the displacement of thousands of farmers in parts of northern Nigeria has significantly disrupted farming activities and reduced food production.
“Insecurity in major food-producing areas must be addressed. Farmers cannot produce enough food if they are unable to access their farms safely.
“Strengthening security in key agricultural belts, particularly in Northern Nigeria, is essential to restoring production and stabilising food supplies.
“Transportation and logistics costs must be reduced.
“Transport now accounts for a significant share of food prices. Improving rural roads, expanding rail freight for agricultural produce, and supporting more efficient logistics will help reduce the cost of moving food from farms to urban markets.”
While acknowledging that Nigeria's agricultural sector recorded stronger Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth in the first quarter of 2026, Isong said the improvement has not translated into greater food availability because production gains continue to be undermined by insecurity and post-harvest losses.
“Production gains are being offset by post-harvest losses, reduced planting and insecurity in producing communities.
“The result is that consumers may continue to experience supply shortages and renewed price increases for key staples.
“To avert shortages of rice, tomatoes, peppers, onions and other staple foods over the next three months, Nigeria needs coordinated action from the Federal Government, state governments, the private sector and development partners.
“This is not a problem that can be solved by one institution alone.”
He stressed that reducing post-harvest losses should be treated as a national priority, noting that Nigeria still loses between 30 and 50 per cent of its perishable agricultural produce before it reaches consumers.
Isong urged governments at all levels to accelerate the distribution of improved seedlings, fertilisers, irrigation support and affordable credit facilities ahead of the 2026/2027 planting season.
“Since rice production is projected to decline because of reduced planting, every effort must be made to encourage increased cultivation during the next production cycle.”
He also called for stronger security measures to enable farmers to safely return to their farms, while advocating investments in better rural road networks, expanded rail freight services and more efficient food distribution systems to reduce logistics costs.
In addition, he encouraged state governments to establish more aggregation centres, cold storage facilities, processing plants and produce markets closer to farming communities. He also appealed to private investors to increase investment in cold chain infrastructure, food processing and contract farming through affordable financing.
According to him, stronger collaboration among federal and state governments, commodity associations, farmer cooperatives, logistics companies and development partners will be essential for monitoring food supplies and responding quickly to emerging shortages.
Concluding, Isong maintained that Nigeria has the capacity to improve food security if coordinated interventions are sustained.
“Nigeria produces enough food in many sectors, but too much of it is lost before it reaches consumers.
“If we reduce post-harvest losses, improve logistics, secure farming communities and support farmers, we can reduce shortages and stabilise food prices.”