Assessment of the Impact of Productive Safety Net Programme on the Lives of the Beneficiaries in Ethiopia: the Case of Dera Malo Woreda, Gamo Gofa Zone, SNNPR
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Date
2011-04
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Chronic food insecurity is one of the main problems which affected millions of Ethiopians
for centuries. To solve this problem, the government of Ethiopia has been undertaking
different programmes. Though large amount of expenditure was outplayed before 2005, it
was unable to solve the problem of food insecurity because it was not provided timely
and unpredictable. Moreover it has a dependency syndrome. Thus, due to the limitations
of the previous measures, currently different programmes were being undertaken under
the umbrella of FSP. PSNP was one of these programmes. It has two components i.e.
public works and direct support. It was aimed at smoothening consumption and
preventing assets from depletion at household level and creating assets at community
level.
Hence, the general objective of this study was to assess and explore different impacts
(both positive and negative) of PSNP on the lives of the beneficiary households in Dera
Malo Woreda. Both qualitative and quantitative approaches were employed. The data
were gathered from 116 household heads through household survey questionnaires, and
from other respondents through key informant interviews and focus group discussion. By
employing these instruments it founded that the programme has both positive and
negative impacts.
The positive impacts were it smoothened and improved food consumption for those who
properly used the transfers; it improved household assets and prevented it from depletion
at household level; community assets were improved and rehabilitated with little quality
and ownership problems; and though the number was small, it reduced the number of
chronically poor people.
On the other hand, the programme resulted in different unintended results. These were
though seasonal, commodities and goods especially food items became expensive and it
was difficult to find food items after the payment of the transfer; some work beyond their
capacity especially during maintenance of roads and they face shortage of time for their
household activities; it sent some wrong messages to have more children initially;
discourage hard work to some extent; confusion over who should undertake
developmental activities; encourage dependency to some extent, and leads to more debt.
Finally, this work forwards some points which will help to maximize the positive impacts
and minimize the negative ones of the programme. These are all household members
should be included; the transfer should be able to cover the living costs and fair; the
beneficiaries should stay in the programme for the stated period; and the payment was
better if based on the preference of the households. To minimize the negative impacts, the
principles of the programme should be properly applied; awareness giving should be
undertaken, changing the cash payment in to different materials if necessary and
autonomy for DAs
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Keywords
Malo woreda, Gamo gofa zone