AGMARK is a certification mark for agricultural produce, assuring that they conform to a grade standard notified by Directorate of Marketing & Inspection (DMI), Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare under Agricultural Produce (Grading Marking) Act, 1937.These standards differentiate between quality and 2-3 grades are prescribed for each commodity. Till date, grade standards for 224 agricultural commodities have been notified. These include fruits, Vegetables, cereals, pulses, oilseeds, vegetable oils, ghee, spices, honey, creamery butter, wheat, atta, besan, etc.
While framing the standards, the existing standards in The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, Codex Alimentarius Commission, International Organization for Standardization, etc. are considered. Trade Associations, Research Institutions, etc. are also consulted.
🔘Agmark is an acronym for agricultural marketing.
🔘Agmark is a quality certification mark provided by the Government of India.
🔘This certification confirms that the product or commodity in better term is scientifically laid down.
🔘 It confirms the quality control and the best hygienic condition of the food.
Salient features of Agmark standard:
(1) Quality standards for Agricultural commodities are framed based on their intrinsic quality.
(2) Food safety factors are being incorporated in the standards to compete in world trade.
(3) Standards are being harmonized with international standards keeping in view the WTO requirements.
(4) Check is kept on the quality of certified products through 23 laboratories and 43 offices spread all over the country.
The grades incorporated are grades 1, 2, 3 and 4 or special, good, fair and ordinary.
Agmark products are subjected to continuous inspection. The certificate of “Authorization” is granted only to those in the trade having adequate experience and standing in the market. The staff of the DMI or of the state Government is generally present at the time of selection of goods, their processing, grading and packing before applying the appropriate AGMARK labels.
Products available under AGMARK are pulses, wheat products, vegetable oils, ground spices, whole spices, milk products, honey, compounded asafetida, rice, tapioca sago, seedless tamarind and gram flour; grading of these commodities is voluntary. On the other hand grading of commodities like tobacco, walnut, spices, basmati rice, essential oils, onion, potatoes are meant for export is compulsory under AGMARK.
The Directorate of marketing and inspection of central government has 21 laboratories and 50 sub offices spread all over the country. The central AGMARK laboratory at Nagpur continuously carries out research and development works in this field.
Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA): Under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, APEDA puts it quality logo on the products to be exported. This logo is a mark of pride and reliability. The products in the APEDA purview are fruits, vegetables, meat products, dairy products, confectionery and bakery products, beverages, cereals rice etc.
