The effects of rising food prices were evident across Asia. Yesterday, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation warned of a 'silent famine' emerging in some countries where food prices are beyond the poorest people's reach.

The Philippines, a top rice importer, will give out 'access cards' to households earning a monthly income of 4,500 pesos (S$150) and below. The cards would allow them to buy governmentsubsidised rice at 18.25 pesos per kg - almost half the price of commercial rice.

In Thailand, the world's largest producer of rice, a survey released on Sunday revealed that people are worried over rice supplies, with 48 per cent of respondents buying and cooking rice just enough for their needs.

Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi on Sunday called on major conglomerates to venture into agriculture and food production, adding that the government would ensure 100 per cent self-sufficiency in food from the 60 to 70 per cent now.

India's fourth-largest city Kolkata yesterday was paralysed by a general strike in protest against spiralling food prices.It came as India's annual inflation rate more than doubled in four months to a three-year high of 7.14 per cent, driven in part by a big jump in the cost of staples such as lentils.

According to the US Department of Agriculture, households in poorer countres spend a larger share of their income on food than those in richer nations, magnifying the impact of costlier rice, wheat and meat.

'The era of cheap food is over,' warned Asian Development Bank managing director Rajat Nag. 'Prices will come down...but they won't go back to the lows we've seen.'

REUTERS, BLOOMBERG, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, XINHUA