Impact of the productive safety net program on rural household food security in Lemo Woreda, Central Ethiopia Regional State

This study evaluates the impact of Ethiopia’s Productive Safety Net Program on rural household food security in Lemo Woreda, Central Ethiopia Regional State. Data were collected through a household questionnaire survey from 124 households, comprising 62 program-beneficiary households and 62 non-beneficiary households. Both descriptive statistics and econometric methods were used to analyze the data. A Difference-in-Differences estimation shows that the program has a positive and statistically significant impact on the food security of beneficiary households, while family size has a negative effect on household food security. A binary logit model was also used to estimate the factors associated with improvement in household food security; the results show that beneficiary households have a significantly higher probability of improving their food security than non-beneficiary households. The study recommends that the program continue to be implemented, with adjustments to strengthen its contribution to household asset accumulation alongside its food security gains.