What is AGMARK?
It is a certification mark used on agricultural products in India to ensure that they meet a set of requirements established by the Bureau of Marketing and Inspections, a government agency. The phrase AGMARK was created by combining the terms 'agricultural' and 'mark', which refers to a certification mark. This phrase was first used in the Agricultural Goods (Grading and Marking) Act, adopted in India's parliament.
AGMARK is a third-party assurance system for agricultural goods produced and distributed in India.
The concept dates back to 1934, when Archibald MacDonald Livingstone, the Government of India's Agricultural and Marketing Adviser, proposed that this accreditation be implemented to help local producers avoid undue manipulation by food merchants.
Did you know?
That there are 7 Certification Marks currently issued for different products in India! One such mark is AGMARK which is issued for agricultural products. AGMARK standards cover quality guidelines for 224 different commodities in India.
How are AGMARK Standards Fixed?
Each product's grading criteria is determined using a scientific technique. Samples of agricultural goods are brought in from all across the nation, straight from the producing area, wholesale marketplaces, etc. These items are then tested in each of the AGMARK Regional Laboratories around the country. The standards are developed and framed using the information gathered.
The AGMARK certification is drafted by state-owned AGMARK research facilities that serve as testing and licensing centres around the country. There are Regional AGMARK Laboratories in 11 nodal urban areas and the Central AGMARK Laboratory (CAL) in Nagpur. Every regional laboratory is equipped and has hands-on experience analysing regionally important data. As a result, the item that might be analysed differs between centres.
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Formulation of AGMARK Grade Standards
The development of agricultural commodity standards is time-consuming. Hundreds of agricultural goods varieties are cultivated under a variety of agro climatic situations. As a result, physical and chemical properties vary significantly. Agricultural commodity norms are scientifically framed.
In general, it entails the following steps:
- The agricultural crop for which grading standards need to be developed is chosen based on national importance, demand, and requirement.
- A sample strategy is created based on the locations where the product is cultivated, processed, and marketed.
- Physical and chemical criteria are determined to evaluate the purity and grade of the commodity.
- According to the sampling strategy, field offices gather product samples from agricultural areas, wholesale, and retail marketplaces.
- The samples are tested for the selected parameters in the Regional AGMARK Laboratories and the Central AGMARK Laboratory.
- Results of the analysis are subjected to statistical analysis, and the Central AGMARK Laboratory offers quality criterion limitations for various grades.
- The commodity requirements established in the Prevention of Food Adulteration Rules, 1955, and international standards such as the Codex Alimentarius Commission, ISO, and others, are considered.
- The appropriate Committee on AGMARK Standards meets with trade, industry, and consumer groups to review the draught standards.
- The Ministry of Law & Justice drafts and vets preliminary grading and labelling rules for the product, which are then translated into Hindi and issued in the Gazette of India to invite comments and ideas from all stakeholders.
- After considering the comments/suggestions obtained, a finalised notification is produced, reviewed by the Ministry of Law & Justice, translated into Hindi, and released in the Indian Gazette.
Objectives of AGMARK Grading Scheme
- The scheme aims to supply customers with high-quality, hygienic food items.
- An AGMARK symbol is issued for the correct weight of the food products that State Governments
- AGMARK marks will ensure they are only granted to licensed packers under the direct observation of authorities to confirm the quality and purity of agricultural goods produced by local farmers.
- This AGMARK certification is completed for both export and domestic market.
Benefits of AGMARK
- It instils trust in both the customer and the vendor.
- It makes interstate and worldwide marketing more convenient.
- Market disputes can be resolved peacefully.
- The pricing is guaranteed to remain stable.
- Farmers may readily obtain bank loans based on the grades of food kept in the warehouse.
- Intermediaries' obscene price-fixing is abolished.
- Helps to increase the crop's quality.
- Minimise transaction risk for both the producer and the seller.
- Subsequent marketing will be made easier. Grades have evolved into a commercial indicator of quality.
- It also aids in contract farming implementation.
Difference between FSSAI and AGMARK
There are many product certifications available in India, covering a wide range of items. Several acts enacted by the Indian Parliament are legally obligatory on company owners. Food laws and acts are extremely important, so these are among the most closely reviewed laws in the country. By regulating the standard of food and food products, these acts assist in safeguarding customers' safety and welfare. The two fundamental certifications are FSSAI and AGMARK licence.
These are not two identical credentials, as many people assume, and they differ in various ways. Some of the distinctions are described below.
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AGMARK |
FSSAI |
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AGMARK is a label given to agricultural products per the Agricultural Products Act of 1986. |
FSSAI is a government agency that reports to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. |
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AGMARK is solely for agricultural-based commodities, and it is administered by the Directorate of Marketing & Inspections of the Indian government. It operates as a Validating Authority, certifying that the product meets quality criteria. |
FSSAI is an Indian regulatory and supervisory body that oversees and supervises food enterprises, their activities, and operations. It also keeps track of and promotes public health. It is secured by requiring all food distributors, processors, storage facilities, and retailers to obtain an FSSAI licence. |
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The Agriculture Produce (Grading and Marking) Act of India, 1937, gave way to AGMARK, later revised in 1986. |
The Food Safety and Standard Act of 2006 gave rise to the FSSAI. |
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AGMARK covers the quality criteria for over 200 agricultural goods, including lentils, rice, fruits and vegetables. The Department of Agriculture and Cooperation is in charge of implementing agricultural policy. It also provides agricultural training, promotes good storage techniques, conducts agricultural changes, and raises public awareness. |
FSSAI uses scientifically determined criteria to regulate a wide range of foods. This authority is also in charge of hygienic standards development, storage, manufacture, distribution, and warehousing. It aims to raise consumer awareness of these requirements. |
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Many inspections and analyses are the premises for AGMARK certification. |
The corporate turnover and operations are the foundation for FSSAI licence allocation. |
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AGMARK has no subtypes. |
The FSSAI licence is divided into basic, state, and central. |
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AGMARK is approved by the Directorate of Marketing and Inspection |
FSSAI is a regulatory entity that provides licences on its own. |
Other Certification Marks Issued in India
ISI Mark
ISI is the acronym for the Indian Standards Institute, a group established after India's independence to provide standards necessary for orderly commercial expansion and industrial output quality.
BIS Mark
The BIS mark is a hallmarking method that certifies the purity of gold and silver jewellery sold in India. It verifies that the jewellery item complies with a set of standards established by India's national standards agency, the Bureau of Indian Standards.
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FPO Mark
Under the Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006, the FPO mark is a certification mark required on all processed fruit goods marketed in India, including processed fruit drinks, fruit jams, pickles, dried fruit products, and fruit extracts. The FPO logo ensures that the product was made in a sanitary, 'food-safe' setting, assuring that it is appropriate for human consumption.
ECOMARK
The Bureau of Indian Standards (India's national requirements agency) issues the ECOMARK to items that meet standards to minimise environmental effects. The marking system was first implemented in 1991. One of the goals of the trademark is to raise customer awareness about the need for decreasing environmental effects.
Conclusion
There is no scarcity of certificates in India. Several Acts are legally obligatory on company owners, with FSSAI and AGMARK being two of the most important related to food. Food regulations are crucial since they regulate one of the essential industries of a country. On the other hand, government institutions must guarantee that laws are effectively implemented.
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