What is AGMARK? And AGMARK Certificate Advantages, Motive, Features, and Process

Introduction

The AGMARK is issued by the Indian government’s Agriculture Department to ensure the quality of agricultural products supplied by farmers in each state. The article focuses on “What is AGMARK?” And other information on AGMARK.

What is AGMARK?

• Agriculture Mark, or AGMARK, is a certification mark used in India to ensure the quality of agricultural products.

• AGMARK is a third-party assurance system for agricultural products produced and consumed in India.

• The concept dates back to 1934, when Archibald MacDonald Livingstone, the Government of India’s Agricultural and Marketing Advisory, proposed that this certification be implemented to help local growers and prevent undue exploitation by food dealers.

Motive of AGMARK Certificate

• The scheme’s principal purpose is to supply consumers with high-quality, pure food items.

• For the correct weight of food goods that are guaranteed by state governments, an AGMARK sign is provided.

• AGMARK labels are only granted to authorized packers under the direct supervision of authorities in order to certify the quality and purity of agricultural products produced by state farmers.

• This AGMARK quality grading and certification are completed for both export and domestic trade.

What are the features of AGMARK?

• For agricultural products, AGMARK is issued by the Directorate of Marketing and Inspection, which is part of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare of the Government of India.
• AGMARK includes quality standards for over 200 distinct commodities, including pulses, cereals, essential oils, and semi-processed foods like vermicelli.
• Faridabad is where the company’s headquarters are located.
• Nagpur is home to the headquarters of AGMARK Laboratory, and 11 state-owned AGMARK labs can be found in 11 nodal cities.
• The application process is completed online through the National Informatics Centre’s portal.
• Guidelines given by the Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006, the Codex Alimentarius Commission, and the International Organization for Standardization were used to create AGMARK standards.
• For edible vegetable oils and fat spread, AGMARK is mandatory as per the requirement laid by FSSAI Regulations, 2006, for the rest of the products it is voluntary to get an AGMARK Certificate

Eligibility Criteria for AGMARK Certification

To be qualified for AGMARK grading and certification of a notified commodity, you must meet the following requirements:

• To process the commodity, the person must have the requisite infrastructure.

• The individual or business must have access to an approved laboratory for grading or have their own laboratory.

Documents Required for AGMARK Certificate

• Copy of test findings from an independent AGMARK-approved laboratory that has been duly authenticated.
• The registration certificate, for example, is a document that authenticates the firm’s establishment.
• In the case of a limited firm, the Memorandum of Association.
• The company’s name and postal address, as well as contact information, are supplied.
• The length of time that the application has been in business.
• Samples of the product to be submitted in sachets.
• Details of prior year’s turnover.
• The prior year’s total gross product (in Kgs).

AGMARK Certificate Process

• To obtain the needed application form, the person/company may visit the Directorate of Marketing and Inspection (DMI) nearest office or visit the website.
• The application for a Certificate of Authorisation for Grading and Marking of Commodities for the Domestic Market is specified in Form – A.
• The appropriate documentation, as well as the stipulated application fee, must be appended and contained with the application form, depending on the type of commodity for which the application is being made. The registration fee must be paid in the form of a demand draught and will vary depending on numerous independent variable elements listed in the forms and annexures, such as grading fees, processing fees, and so on.
• A farmer who wants to be certified should have the infrastructure in place to process his or her products for AGMARK grading. In addition, a recognized laboratory for grading should be available.
• All raw materials and processed food items are tested by a licensed chemist before being packed in appropriate packing material or containers.
• The samples from the packers and market will be checked on a regular basis by officers from the Directorate of Marketing and Inspection.
• In Regional AGMARK Laboratories, all of the samples that have undergone the test will be analyzed.
• If the product does not match the required requirements, it will be rejected otherwise AGMARK Certificate will be granted to the applicant.

Advantages of AGMARK

• Farmers benefit because the state provides extra subsidies to items with the mark.

• The product’s marketing gets a boost.

• Regulatory compliance ensures that the product’s quality is maintained.

FAQs on AGMARK Certificate

1. What is the full form of AGMARK?  

The full form of AGMARK is Agricultural Mark.

2. What is the basic difference between AGMARK and FSSAI?  

The main distinction between an AGMARK and an FSSAI license is that the former is a certification and the latter is a government agency. FSSAI Licensing covers all food items, whether agricultural or non-agricultural. AGMARK is an inspection seal issued for agricultural product quality, whereas FSSAI Licensing covers all food items, whether agricultural or non-agricultural.

Suggested read: Difference Between FSSAI and AGMARK

3. What is the validity of the AGMARK Certificate?

AGMARK Certificate is valid for 5 years. After that AGMARK Certificate holder need to renew the AGMARK Certificate.

4. What are the products covered under AGMARK?

Below is the list of products that includes under AGMARK:

• Milk Products

• Pulses

• Wheat Products

• Gram Flour

• Whole Spices

• Rice

• Vegetable Oils

• Seedless Tamarind

• Honey

• Tapioca sago

Conclusion

In India, there is no shortage of certificates. Several Acts impose legal obligations on business owners, the most prominent of which being the FSSAI and AGMARK in the food industry. Food rules are critical since they govern one of a country’s most important businesses.