Agmark Registration

AGMARK registration refers to the process of obtaining certification under the Agricultural Produce (Grading and Marking) Act, 1937, and the rules and regulations established under it. The term “AGMARK” is derived from “AGricultural MARKs,” and it signifies that the agricultural product has been graded and marked according to the standards set by the Agricultural Marketing Department of India.

Objectives of the Scheme

• The primary goal of the scheme is to provide consumers with good quality of food with unadulterated food products.
• An Agmark symbol is provided for the correct weight of the food products that are guaranteed by State Governments
• Agmark labels are issued only to the authorized packers under the direct supervision of the officers to certify the quality and purity of the agricultural products that are produced by the farmers of the State.
• This Agmark quality grading and certification are done for Export and Domestic Trade purposes.

How Agmark Standards are fixed?

The Scientific approach is made to fix the grade standard of each product. Samples of agricultural products from all over the parts of the country are brought, directly from the producing area, wholesale markets, etc. These products are analyzed in each of the Regional Agmark Laboratories that are spread across the country. The standards are drafted and are framed based on the data that is obtained. The standards are framed following the:

• Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006
• Codex Alimentarius Commission
• International Organisation for Standardization

Agmark Certified products

This scheme is voluntary, and the commodity products that are certified under the Agmark for domestic trade are ghee, butter, spices, oil, mustard, wheat atta, honey, Besan, etc. Products that are included for Export are fruits and vegetables in the most important are grapes and onions. For Edible Vegetable Oils and Fat spread certification under the Agmark grading is mandatory as per The Food Safety and Standards Act and regulations, 2006.

Advantage of Agmark

As the State governments approve Agmark,

• The farmers are most benefitted as more subsidies are allotted for the product with Agmark
• Marketing of the product is improved
• Quality of product is sustained

Process for Agmark certification

• A farmer who wants to get the certification should have the necessary infrastructure to process the products for Agmark grading. And also should have an approved laboratory for grading.
• The Chemist who has approved tests all the raw materials and the processed food products before the packing is done in suitable packing material or containers.
• The officers of the Directorate of Marketing and Inspection (DMI) will have a regular check on the samples from the packers and market.
• All the samples that have undergone the test will be analyzed in Regional Agmark Laboratories.
• The product will be rejected if it does not meet the prescribed standards.