AGMARK

·       AGMARK is a certification mark for agricultural produce, assuring that they conform to a grade standard notified by Directorate of Marketing & Inspection (DMI), Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare under Agricultural Produce (Grading Marking) Act, 1937.

·       The term AGMARK was coined by joining the words 'Ag' to mean agriculture and 'mark' for a certification mark. 

·       The AGMARK Head Office at Faridabad (Haryana) is legally enforced in India by the Agricultural Produce (Grading and Marking) Act of 1937 (and amended in 1986).

·       These standards differentiate between quality and 2-3 grades are prescribed for each commodity. Till 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.

Advantage of AGMARK

·       The AGMARK registration adds legal significance and benefits to an agricultural produce.

·       If a product has the AGMARK registration, it gives the consumer the assurance about the organic integrity and quality of the product.

·       These standards bear conformity to the requirements of the WTO (World Trade Organisation). Therefore, the AGMARK certification helps a product to compete in the international markets as well.

·       The Government grants subsidies to agricultural produce that has completed the AGMARK registration process. Thus, it brings benefits to the farmers.