Abstract:
This study focuses on the challenges and opportunities of productive safety net program
in achieving food security in general and rural food security in particular. The study was
conducted in Soro woreda, Hadiya Zone, SNNP regional state. For this study, three
productive safety net program beneficiary kebeles were selected Purposely and the
sample households were selected randomly. The study employed both qualitative and
quantitative research methods and the data was collected through survey questions, focus
group discussion, and key informants through in-depth interview. The Key informant for
this study were Productive Safety Net Program task forces members from agriculture
and rural development office of study Woreda, development agents(DAs)working in each
selected kebele, and Kebele chairpersons.The study finding underlined that the program
had brought change in daily consumption and, coping mechanism; Contribution on asset
building, particularly livestock after being the beneficiary of the program and other
contributions. However, engagement of children under 16 ages, pregnant women with
more than 4 months, lactating mothers less than 10 months after birth, unfair working
schedule in terms of family size included in the program are the major problems of the
program . In addition, absence of work clothes and materials for beneficiaries and
absence of health insurance for injuries occurred in public work activities were also the
problems of the program. There were also various challenges identified in the study area
of this research concerning timely transfer, institutional and managerial arrangements,
beneficiaries screening and graduation. On the basis of the finding of the study, the
researcher comes up with possible recommendations that would play crucial role in the
way of improving the problem of the program.
