Productive Workfare? Evidence from Ethiopia's Productive Safety Net Program

Jules Gazeaud () and Victor Stephane
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Jules Gazeaud: NOVA - Universidade Nova de Lisboa = NOVA University Lisbon

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Abstract: Despite the popularity of public works programs in developing countries, there is virtually no evidence on the value of the infrastructure they generate. This paper attempts to start filling this gap in the context of the PSNPa largescale program implemented in Ethiopia since 2005. Under the program, millions of beneficiaries received social transfers conditional on their participation in activities such as land improvements and soil and water conservation measures. We examine the value of these activities using a satellite-based indicator of agricultural productivity and (reweighted) difference-indifferences estimates. Results show that the program is associated with limited changes in agricultural productivity. The upper bound of the main estimate is equivalent to a 3.6 percent increase in agricultural productivity. This contrasts with existing narratives and calls for more research on the productive effects of public works.

Keywords: Social Protection; Public Works; Transfers; Ethiopia; PSNP (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-dev
Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://shs.hal.science/halshs-03082420v1
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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Related works:
Journal Article: Productive Workfare? Evidence from Ethiopia's Productive Safety Net Program (2023)
Working Paper: Productive Workfare? Evidence from Ethiopia's Productive Safety Net Program (2022)
Working Paper: Productive Workfare? Evidence from Ethiopia’s Productive Safety Net Program (2020)
Working Paper: Productive workfare? Evidence from Ethiopia s productive safety net program (2020)
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