Synopsis (short abstract)The phenomenon of high and volatile food prices is unlikely to disappear any time soon. This places a responsibility on FAO to assist national governments in combating the problems caused. As far as FAO programmatic support is concerned a two pronged approach is recommended. First, medium term investments to boost agricultural production should begin NOW as an early action measure which will reduce the impact of rising international food prices as this inevitably takes place in the coming years. Second, the various productive safety net activities should be used in conjunction with social safety nets to reduce the impact of transitory price spikes as these occur within the overall context of rising prices. If carefully done, productive safety nets can stimulate efficiency and capacity improvements within the agricultural sector, thus helping to promote the longer term goals of FAO programmatic support.