How effective are the public works and conditional cash transfer programs on assets accumulation for rural households in Tanzania?

Abstract

Both Public Works (PWs) and Conditional Cash Transfers (CCTs) programs have been implemented for poor households to enhance, food security, protect physical assets, and boosting resilience on shocks. Evidence shows, households without assets experience worsening welfare and seldom falls into lower economic status. This study aims to measure the effects of integrated CCTs and PWs on the asset holdings among households. Asset Index was computed using principal component analysis (PCA) technique to ascertain household socioeconomic status and the propensity score matching (PSM) technique was used in impact evaluation. The findings revealed that integrated CCTs and PWs improved asset accumulation by households. Also, spending habit, non-farm and crop-farming activities played a major role on the accumulation of assets. These findings imply that enhancing asset ownership for disadvantaged households requires the integration of both CCTs and PWs program directly to productive activities.