Kifle Kirba, a resident of Bullesa kebele near Aleta Wondo in Ethiopia's Sidama region, has transitioned from struggling as a migrant worker to running his own successful beekeeping business. He manages twelve modern beehives in a shed next to his home, all within a shared plot of land.
Earning income by supplying honey to local merchants, Kifle began his journey four years ago when he faced difficulties making ends meet. His challenges were compounded when his traditionally constructed home collapsed. With limited resources, Kifle turned to the World Bank-supported Productive Safety Net Program (PSNP) for assistance.
The PSNP aims to reduce rural poverty in Ethiopia by offering temporary employment through public works and sustainable job opportunities through a complementary livelihoods program. The initiative also provides cash for those unable to work. Currently, the program's activities are funded by the World Bank's Strengthen Ethiopia’s Adaptive Safety Net Project, alongside a multi-donor trust fund with contributions from various development partners.
Households, including Kifle's, are selected for PSNP through a community targeting process held every five years. Beneficiaries who can work are engaged in community asset-building activities and receive cash transfers. Kifle received additional support through complementary livelihood services.
His exposure to beekeeping stems from family tradition, as Kifle's great-grandfather kept traditional beehives. The PSNP provided him with modern beekeeping training and a model beehive, which he used to expand his practice successfully. "My great-grandfather used to keep traditional beehives, so I was exposed to the beekeeping practice from a young age," Kifle shared.
Through the program, he received $300 in either a grant or loan, plus training in financial literacy and business planning. The support helped him build a new, modern house, contributing to his family's improved living conditions. "I did not have a house of this kind in the past. I’ve built a home where my children can rest,” Kifle mentioned.
With his beekeeping business thriving, Kifle feels confident to exit the PSNP and independently support his family. The skills he acquired could potentially lead to job creation for others in the community. Such programs are essential for social protection, economic inclusion, and job diversity in rural Ethiopia, promoting inclusive growth.