AGMARK is a certification mark employed on agriculture products in India, assuring that they conform to a set standard approved by the Director of Marketing and Inspection (DMI), Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare under Agricultural Produce (Grading marking) Act, 1937. The term Agmark was coined from 2 words ‘Ag’ meaning - Agriculture and ‘Mark’ meaning- Certification Mark.
These standards distinguish between quality and 2-3 grades which are prescribed for each commodity. Grades help the farmers to get prices for their produce as per the quality produced by them and the consumers can get the desired quality. Grade standards are framed in a scientific manner. Samples of these commodities are drawn from all parts of the country – producing area, wholesale markets etc, which are analyzed in Regional Agmark Laboratories and then spread all over the country for the identified parameters. The present AGMARK standards cover quality guidelines for 222 different commodities which cover a variety of pulses, cereals, essential oils, vegetable oils, ghee, spices, honey, fruits and vegetables, atta, besan, ginger and semi processed foods such as vermicelli.
This certification scheme is implemented through 11 regional offices, 26 sub offices, 11 Regional Agmark Laboratories at Mumbai, New Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Kanpur, Kochi, Guntur, Amritsar, Jaipur, Rajkot & Bhopal and Central Agmark Laboratory of the Directorate in Nagpur.
The testing done across these laboratories include chemical analysis, microbiological analysis, pesticide residue and alfatoxin analysis on all commodities.
Eligibility for Agmark Certification:
To be eligible for grading and certifying a notified commodity under Agmark:
-
The person must have the necessary infrastructure to process the commodity.
-
The person or company must have the access to an approved laboratory for grading or must have their own laboratory.
Regulatory Requirements and Procedure for certification:
Although the AGMARK certification is voluntary, FSSAI have prescribed mandatory certification under AGMARK for certain products like Blended edible oil. Anyone desirous of grading and certifying a notified agricultural commodity under Agmark can apply to the nearest field office of the DMI.
The person/ company can also apply on the website or visit the nearest office of the Directorate of marketing and inspection (DMI) in order to get the required application form.
The necessary documents need to be attached along with the application form and the application fee in accordance with the kind of commodity for which the application is filled. The registration fee should be submitted in the form of demand draft, and it will vary based on several independent variable factors.
Document Requirements:
-
Copy of test reports, duly authenticated from independent Agmarkauthorized laboratory.
-
Document authenticating the establishment of the firm, such as the registration certificate.
-
Memorandum of association, in case of a limited company.
-
Name and postal address of the business, contact details included.
-
Period for which the applicant has been in business.
-
Sachets of the product samples to be submitted.
-
Turnover details of the previous years.
-
Total gross product for the previous year (in Kgs).
