By mid-2008, international food prices had skyrocketed to their highest level in 30 years. This, coupled with the global economic downturn, pushed millions more people into poverty and hunger. 

In December 2010, the FAO food price index rose above its 2008 peak. The index dropped to an 11-month low in October 2011, but food prices still remain generally higher than last year and very volatile.

Efforts need to be scaled up at all levels to strengthen the resilience of small farmers to future shocks and to improve food and nutrition security over the long term [more].