Abstract:
The study assessed the role of productive safety net programme in improving households’ food security in case of central Ethiopia Boset Woreda. Mixed research approaches were employed in the collecting and analyzing of data. The assessment was based on data generated from both primary and secondary sources drawn through purposive and convenience sampling techniques was used to select study area. A total of 211 people participated in the study out of which 175 are in the household survey, that were selected by systematic random sampling techniques, 12 as key informant interview and 24 in the focus group discussion. Therefore, multistage sampling techniques were used. Finally, the collected data were presented in tabular, pie charts, content analysis and narration form. The study findings indicate that Gumbe Gugisa, Sifa Bote and Nura Hase chronically and seasonally food insecure kebeles gradually it was showing changes after being beneficiaries FSP, particularly PSNP. The determinants of food security in the study area is illiteracy rate, agricultural extension services, use of modern agricultural input, gender discrimination and land holding size are among many. There are also problems compounded by back ward agriculture, drought, over flooding, poor agricultural extensions services and credit services, low level of off-farm/non-farm activities in the study area. In response to the problem, households vulnerable to food insecurity have developed sale of livestock and its products, agricultural and non-agricultural employment, eat less preferred foods, reducing size and frequency of meal, eat the reserve for seed, borrowing grains and money from relatives, migration and livelihood diversification as a coping mechanisms. To ensure food security in the study area, the development workers should create awareness for the community about family planning, natural resource conservation practice, irrigation, personal and environmental hygiene, technology adoption and rainwater harvesting to reduce the problem caused by drought, over flooding and erratic rain fall.
