The document discusses rising food prices from 2007 to early 2009 and the challenges and opportunities for smallholder farmers. Key points include: - Food prices sharply increased during this period due to factors like increasing living standards, biofuel production, and speculative commodity investments. This led to higher inflation. - Countries responded with protective trade policies that deepened the crisis. Both net food exporters and importers were negatively impacted. - Smallholder farmers face challenges like low yields, lack of infrastructure and resources, and weaker price incentives. Support is needed to help them boost production and market access. - Overall the crisis underscores the need for sound national agricultural and trade policies to promote food security and smallholder incomes.

1.  Annual performance review workshop  Rising food prices: challenges and opportunities for smallholders 1-4 March 2009 Bangkok, Thailand