Rhetorical side of export planning: the case of potatoes

Managing sporadic bumper crops is one such challenge that requires collective wisdom in planning and execution

Prime Minister Imran Khan, while chairing a meeting to discuss the planning framework for national development and systematic reforms, said that it was for the first time that the government had opted for export-oriented planning. The planning process for this purpose, however, requires innovative techniques and out-of-box solutions to deal with chronic challenges hindering the exports growth in Pakistan. The literature shows that planning, as a process, is deeply argumentative in its cryptic nature. Therefore, it has to follow communicative approach and affable dialogue-based strategy to come up with sustainable and long-term innovative solutions for bolstering systematic growth of exports. Rhetoric, according to planner Tore Langmyhr, is all about persuasive discourse. The rhetorical side of an export-oriented planning strategy must, therefore, seek the participation and practical acumen of exporters and other stakeholders with a view to finding context-specific solutions. Managing sporadic bumper crops is one such challenge that requires collective wisdom in indigenous planning and execution.

As per media reports, Punjab is likely to witness a voluminous hike in its potato harvest in the next few weeks. There is a presentiment that overproduction may bring the demand of potatoes down as its supply increases. The potato growers and government officials are grumbling how to deal with the excessive crop. Developing countries usually prefer time-bound short-term planning to meet their economic goals and Pakistan is no exception. Reportedly, there is no robust framework in place that could affectively handle the windfall production of potatoes this year. As a matter of fact, there has to be a regular introspection and dialogue with farmers on various issues including bumper crops. Merely the formation of government committees may not affectively handle the rhetorical challenges of planning in this regard. By using rhetorical practices, through dialogue and negotiations with stakeholders, the primary objective is to deduce themes and sub-themes revolving around the strategies to optimise export of bumper crops. Pakistan witnesses such bumper crops from time to time. As crops, particularly potatoes and tomatoes, are perishable items; any braggart contingency plan may not have the capacity to optimise the economic benefits of such overproduction.

A review of the literature on planning suggests that sudden rise in crops yield is actually a kind of event that has a lesser probability to occur. As a result, most impromptu planners ignore their likelihood to occur while appreciating time-bound dictatorial planning practices. As rhetorical side of planning is more inclusive in nature and may require more time to come up with robust storylines and sub-storylines, they are not encouraged in many developing countries. Therefore, the strategic planners should have a peculiar focus on the events that are less likely to occur such as the overproduction of crops. According to the data shared by Punjab Crop Reporting Service, the potato production is expected to be as high as 8.5 million tonnes this year vis-à-vis a mere 3.3 million tonnes in 2011-12. Last year, its production was 5.6 million tonnes showing an increase of around 36 per cent this year. Despite this heavy production, the export chances of potatoes appear bleak.

Against this backdrop, Pakistan’s export-oriented planning needs to be based on a deeper understanding of the Global Production System (GPS). GPS refers to which countries produce what, thus defining the patterns of global trade alongside reflecting International Division of Labor (IDL). A holistic analysis of the GPS and IDL identifies the trade gaps in terms of various products’ dearth and abundance. Furthermore, the IDL dynamics explain international distribution of income and welfare. As Adam Smith said, “If a foreign country can supply us with a commodity cheaper than we ourselves can make it, better buy it of them with some part of the produce of our own industry in a way in which we have some advantage.” This shows that the export of potatoes to the countries facing its dearth is very much in line with the dynamics of GPS provided the trade barriers are affectively removed. This requires negotiations based on rhetorical practices in the export strategy and planning.

As far as the overproduction of potatoes is concerned, there are few rudimentary issues that need attention. Potatoes are one of the most consumed vegetables in the world. This suggests that their demand is very high in the world. There is a need to identify the countries that face shortage of potatoes during February and March every year. It would be an additional advantage if such countries have geographical contiguity with Pakistan so as to minimise the transportation cost. Dr Afzaal Rizvi, a potato grower from Okara, identifies China as one such country. In the past, Pakistan was successful in engaging Russia for the export of potatoes. The Russian concerns, within the framework of sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) framework, were successfully addressed. As a result, today it is an export market for Pakistani potatoes. A similar strategy needs to be adopted in case of China as well. Based on the lessons learnt from the negotiations with Russia, on the export of potatoes, Pakistan must immediately engage China to address all their concerns including the SPS related issues. Former CEO of the Urban Unit Lahore Dr Nasir Javed pointed out that several international food chains may be consuming imported potatoes. They need to be engaged through negotiations, and their concerns be addressed as per the SPS protocol so that they start buying local potatoes for their products. The farmers, furthermore, may also be provided financial assistance to purchase necessary plant and machinery for fulfilling the demands of international clientele as per various SPS requirements. It’s all about focusing and appreciating the rhetorical side of planning.

In order to boost its exports exponentially, Pakistan needs both long-term and short-term planning. For long-term planning, rhetorical practices can play a pivotal role in moribund trade negotiations where the basic purpose is to persuade specific countries under specific contexts against specific products’ export. Pakistan’s export planning accordingly requires case study based methodology in which every export product, including potatoes, is to be treated as a specific case. That means there is hardly any room for synoptic planning under dictatorial planning practices. Most trade agreements in the world are primarily a result of rhetorical practices. The same needs to be the paradigmatic core of Pakistan’s export-oriented planning, trade policy and economic growth strategy.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 1^st, 2022.

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