Sector-wide approaches (SWAps) were introduced to the agricultural sector in the 1990s in an effort to coordinate governmental budgets and activities.  The aim of SWAs was to increase efficiency and effectiveness by coordinating stakeholder activities and to reduce programme crossover.  The 2005 Paris Declaration was important for SWAps (now called Sector-based Approaches (SBAs)) as it compelled signatories to direct almost 70% of its aid through SBAs by 2010.  Although the intent of  SBAs has been a good one it has had been implemented to varying effect, often criticized for focusing too heavily on systems rather than service outcomes.

This short briefing paper by ODI provides an excellent overview of SBAs in agriculture and considers how they might best develop in order to better achieve their purpose.

The ODI Briefing Paper, Sector-Based approaches in agriculture can be found here.