Soaring food prices and food security will be the themes to be discussed on World Food Day on Oct. 16, but the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) is calling for urgent action now.

"It is clear that the impact of high food prices in developing countries—especially low-income, food importing countries—is of serious concern,” the Geneva-based organization said on its website.

"This is more so when the poor spend 50 to 80 per cent of their meagre income on food. Farmers also suffer.”

Last year, FAO warned of the food crisis and launched the Initiative on Soaring Food Prices to help local farmers produce more food.

The programme distributes seeds, fertiliser, animal feed and other farming tools and supplies to farmers.

International fertiliser prices have doubled in the last year, FAO said. "Urgent action is needed on two fronts—making food accessible to the most vulnerable, and helping small producers raise their output and earn more.”

The initiative also advises governments on policies relating to the food crisis.

FAO is currently working in 35 countries to support food production this planting season in addition to $24 million (Frw13 billion) worth of projects "to help the most affected countries increase production in the upcoming planting season.”

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