Agmark

This presentation gives the knowledge about Agmark, laws, grading, standardization of agricultural commodities, the infrastructure for the certification program, Role of RALs, and Central Agmark laboratories, labeling requirements and documents to be given along with the application

1. AGMARK Presented by Shaik Mohammed M. Pharm 1 st Year Food Analysis Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis

2. Introduction Directorate of Marketing & Inspection (DMI) in the Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare, Ministry of Agriculture, Cooperation &Farmers Welfare is implementing the provisions of Agricultural Produce (Grading &Marking) Act, 1937. The concept of food quality assurance in India started with the enactment of Agricultural Produce (Grading & Marking) Act, 1937 and amended in 1986 by passing bill in our parliament. The term AGMARK was coined by joining the words ‘ Ag ’ means Agriculture . ‘ Mark ’ for a Certification Mark . Agmark acts as a quality bench mark or authenticity for all agricultural products in India.

3. The Act empowers the Central Government to make Rules for: a) fixing grade designations to indicate quality of any scheduled article. b) defining the quality indicated by every grade designation, and c) specifying grade designation marks to represent particular grade designation. As per provision in Section 3 of the Act, General Grading and Marking Rules, 1988 are notified in which the detailed procedures for G rant of Certificate of Authorization . S etting up of laboratories . I ssue of Certificate of Agmark Grading . A ction on irregularities . C onsumer protection measures, etc.

4. Certificate of Authorization It is given to the packers authorizing them to grade their commodity under AGMARK. Period of validity will be 5 years. For granting new certificate of authorization separate application for each commodity should be produced. There are more than 6000 Certificate of Authorisation holders throughout the country. These Certificate of Authorisation holders grade and mark the agricultural commodity through the laboratories approved for the purpose. A fter the due i nquiry only ,t he Ce rtificate of A uthorization will be issued under the act .

5. Grade standards notified as per the provisions of the Act are popularly called AGMARK Standards .These standards differentiate between quality and 2-3 grades are prescribed for each commodity. Grades help farmers to get prices for agricultural commodities as per the quality produced by them and consumers get the desired quality. AGMARK (Grading and Marketing) Act covers 222 different categories of agricultural products and commodities includin g on pulses, cereals, essential oils, vegetable oils, fruits and vegetables and other semi-processed commodities. Agmark certification is extremely vital for all retailers and wholesalers across the country in order to sell their products to large base of customers.

6. Standardization and Grading of Agricultural Commodities Grading provides a description of the quality of the consignment and assists in the formation of a legally binding agreement . It facilitates proper marketing of agricultural commodities. It also ensures that agricultural commodities move through the market faster and without obstructions . This also facilitates transactions without physical verification by the distant buyers.

7. Formulation of Grade Standards Standards of agricultural commodities are framed in a scientific way . Basically, it involves the following steps: Based on the national priority, necessity and demand, the agricultural commodity(for which grade standards are to be framed) is selected . A sampling plan is prepared based on the areas in which the commodity is grown, processed and traded. Physical and chemical parameters to determine the purity and quality of the commodity are identified . Samples of the commodity are collected by the field offices from growing areas, whole sale and retail markets as per the sampling plan.

8. The samples are analysed in the Regional Agmark Laboratories and Central Agmark Laboratory for the identified parameters. Analytical data obtained is statistically analysed and Central Agmark Laboratory suggests the limits of various quality parameters for different grades. The specifications of the commodity prescribed in Prevention of Food Adulteration Rules, 1955 and international standards viz. Codex Alimentarius Commission, ISO, etc. are consulted.

9. The relevant Committee on Agmark standards discusses the draft standards with trade, industry and consumer organizations. Preliminary Grading & Marking Rules for the Commodity are drafted and are vetted by the Ministry of Law & Justice, translated into Hindi and published in the Gazette of India for inviting comments and suggestions from all stake holders. The comments/suggestions received are considered and final notification is drafted, vetted by the Ministry of Law & Justice, translated into Hindi and published in the Gazette of India.

10. Following Commodities on Agmark standards have been constituted

11. Infrastructure for the Certification Programme DMI(D irectorate of Marketin g and Inspection) is headed by Agricultural Marketing Adviser to the Government of India . DMI has head quarters at Faridabad and 11 Regional Offices and 26 Sub-offices spread all over the country to implement the certification programme. Head Office at Faridabad attends to the policy matters and framing/revision of standards.

12. 11 RALs spread all over the country provide analytical support for the analysis of research samples and check samples drawn from the authorized packers’ premises and market. These RALs analyse private samples also received from any stake holder on payment basis. Central Agmark Laboratory at Nagpur is the apex laboratory.

13. Role of Regional Agmark Laboratory & Centra l Agmark Laboratories These RAL(s) are assigned to carry out the following important functions: Analysis of research samples of agricultural commodities for framing their standards . Analysis of check samples of Agmark certified commodities for ensuring conformance with prescribed standards. Training the chemists of authorized packers/approved laboratories in the grading of agricultural commodities.

14. The testing done across these laboratories include  Chemical analysis,  Microbiological analysis,  Pesticide residue, and  Antitoxin analysis Some of the products are whole spices, ground spices, ghee, butter, vegetable oils, mustard oil, honey, food grains (wheat), wheat products (atta, suji, and maida), gram flour, soyabean seed, bengal gram, ginger, oil cake, essential oil, oils and fats, animal casings, meat and food products .

15. CAL, Nagpur works as the apex laboratory and is primarily engaged in research activities and in association with RAL (s) also undertakes to E volve new methods and standardize the already existing methods of analysis / tests of food & agricultural commodities including meat products; F ormulation of specifications for new commodities for bringing under the purview of Agmark . R evision of Specifications of various commodities i.e. agricultural & food products including meat products etc, C reate awareness among consumers and traders with regard to grading, standardization and quality of various food & agricultural products.

16. Labeling R equirements on AGMARK C ertified P roducts All products certified under Agmark should have Agmark insignia and following details printed on them. Name and address of the authorized packer Name of the commodity Grade Lot/Batch No. Date of packing. Best Before Date Net Weight /Volume Maximum Retail Price. List of ingredients in descending order of their wt. (in case of mixed spices, etc).

17. Documents to be given along with application Sketch of the premises Declaration regarding Proprietorship/Partnership etc Ownership of the premises Ownership of trade brand label Use of good grade quality containers for packing commodities. All declarations has to given by notary public. A copy of licence from Panchayat/Municipality. Bank reference:- Letter from the bank regarding the transaction to the packer with the bank. List of machiner y. Specimen signature of authorized persons attested by the proprietor/managing partner. Medical fitness certificate of employee. Specimen copy and sketch of trade brand label .

18. Consumers not satisfied with the quality of agricultural produce certified under Agmark, can make a complaint to the Agricultural Marketing Adviser giving full particulars regarding Agmark label/replica serial number, lot no., date of packing, best before date, trade brand, name and address of the authorized packer and the name and address of the seller. Whenever the complaint is found to be genuine, action as deemed fit will be taken against the concerned authorized packer as per provision in APGM Act-1937

19. Thank you