Abstract

The study analyzed the impact of productive safety net program (PSNP) on household food security in drought-prone areas of Southern Ethiopia. A cross-sectional survey data were collected from 180 randomly sampled households. The study analyzed descriptive and logit econometric model data results. A propensity score matching (PSM) technique was used to estimate the inferential data results. The study findings show that the PSNP improved the food consumption status of beneficiary households as compared to that of the non-beneficiaries by improving food availability and stability of access and utilization of food. However, the impact varied with the PSNP intervention’s the household accessed. Those who participated in household asset building programs besides transfer significantly improved their food security status and assured food consumption over the drought years. Also, these households’ food stock and stability over time improved. The study concludes that the delays in resource transfers, lack of tailored support and limited coverage of households were the drawbacks to the effectiveness the program. Thus, timely transfer of safety net resources, targeting more households and locations are needed to scale up the program’s impacts in the future. Also, broader country level study is required to document PSNP impacts.

Key words: Household food security, PSNP, PSM, droughts, Ethiopia.