Quality Checks - Agmark in India

Agmark Grading and Standardisation is a Central Sector Scheme.
Objectives
Promotion of Grading and Standardisation of agricultural and allied commodities under Agricultural Produce (Grading & Marking) Act, 1937.
Salient features
Quality standards for agricultural commodities are framed based on their intrinsic quality. Food safety factors are being incorporated in the standards to complete in World trade. Standards are being harmonised with international standards keeping in view the WTO requirements. Certification of agricultural commodities is carried out for the benefit of producer/manufacturer and consumer. Certification of adulteration prone commodities viz. Butter, Ghee, Vegetable Oils, Ground-Spices, Honey, Wheat Atta etc. is very popular. Blended Edible Vegetable Oils and Fat Spread are compulsorily required to be certified under Agmark. Facilities for testing and grading of Cotton for the benefit of cotton growers is provided through six cotton classing centres set up in cotton growing belt in the country.Check is kept on the quality of certified products through 23 laboratories and 43 offices spread all over the country.

Eligibility
Parties desirous to grade their commodities under Agmark have to obtain Certificate of Authorization. For the purpose, they should have adequate infrastructure to process the commodity and access to an approved laboratory for the determination of quality and safety factors.

A sample AGMARK seal
AGMARK BESAN
SL.NO. B-162002
GRADE-STANDARD
PLACE OF PACKAGING…….
DATE OF PACKAGING……
NET WEIGHT……..

The quality of a product is determined with reference to the size, variety, weight, colour, moisture, fat content and other factors are taken into account. The grades incorporated are grades 1,2,3 and 4 or special, good, fair and ordinary.