Productive safety net program and its impact on the livelihood of rural households in Doba district, Ethiopia

The Productive Safety-Net Program (PSNP) stands as a pivotal policy endeavor jointly undertaken by the government and donors to transition numerous chronically food-insecure rural inhabitants from a reliance on recurrent emergency food aid to a more stable, foreseeable, and predominantly cash-oriented form of social safeguarding. This study aimed to scrutinize the principal attributes of the PSNP and its influence on the sustenance of rural households within the confines of Doba District, Ethiopia. A meticulous multi-stage sampling methodology was deployed to select 220 participants for the study, encompassing both PSNP beneficiaries and non-participants. Data collection was conducted through a blend of questionnaires, focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and a thorough review of pertinent documents. The data underwent analysis utilizing the propensity score matching (PSM) technique and the binary logistic regression model. Findings indicate a noteworthy enhancement in total annual income by 39% and calorie intake by 8.4% within PSNP beneficiary households in contrast to non-participating counterparts. In summation, the PSNP exhibits a discernibly positive and statistically significant impact on food consumption, total annual income, and overall livelihoods of households. Moreover, outcomes derived from the logistic estimator underscore a substantial correlation between PSNP participation and factors such as land under cultivation, livestock ownership, housing materials sourced from the extension office, and accessibility to credit services.