AGMARK is a certification mark for agricultural produce, assuring that they conform to a grading standard notified by the 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. To date, grade standards for 222 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.
For Blended Edible Vegetable Oils and Fat Spread certification under AGMARK is mandatory as per provisions in The Food Safety and Standards Act and regulations, 2006. European Commission has approved the procedure of pre-shipment inspection under Agmark for exports of fruits and vegetables to EU countries.
For Blended Edible Vegetable Oils and Fat Spread certification under AGMARK is mandatory as per provisions in The Food Safety and Standards Act and regulations, 2006. … European Commission has approved the procedure of preshipment inspection under Agmark for exports of fruits and vegetables to EU countries.
AGMARK is given only for the Product and not for an individual farmer. As of now, 213 agricultural products come under AGMARK certification. FSSAI License is allotted for individual establishments.
The Agmark certification acts as a consistency benchmark and is similar to vouching for product authenticity. Agmark is regulated by 1937 (as amended in 1986) Agricultural Produce (Grading and Marking) Act.
Directorate of Marketing & Inspection responsible for Agmark quality control system has set up 11 Regional Agmark Laboratories [RAL(s)] spread all over the country. The Central Agmark Laboratory (CAL) at Nagpur is the apex laboratory.