AGMARK (Agricultural Marketing): Objective, functions, products available under AGMARK

• AGMARK is a certification mark in India that ensures the quality of agricultural products.

• It covers a variety of products, including cereals, pulses, vegetable oils, and other agricultural produce.

• AGMARK is a certification mark employed on agricultural products in India, signifying that they conform to a set of standards approved by the Directorate of Marketing and Inspection, an agency under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India.

Objective:

• To certify a wide range of agricultural products, including cereals, pulses, and honey, based on quality.

• To conduct laboratory testing of agricultural products to ensure they meet predefined quality standards.

• To help farmers and traders gain a premium price for their high-quality products by providing the AGMARK certification.

• To ensure transparency and trust in the agricultural market by enforcing quality guidelines.

Functions:

Functions of AGMARK

1. Standard Setting:

• AGMARK develops and specifies standards for agricultural products.

• These standards encompass various quality parameters, including the grade, quality, and other characteristics of the produce.

2. Certification:

• It provides a certification service that attests to the quality of agricultural products.

• Products that meet AGMARK standards are labeled as such, providing a visible symbol of quality assurance to consumers.

3. Inspection and Testing:

• AGMARK operates through a network of grading and testing centers where agricultural products are inspected and tested against the set standards.

• This process ensures that only those products that meet the criteria receive the AGMARK certification.

4. Regulatory Enforcement:

• AGMARK also has a regulatory function, involving the monitoring of certified products and the enforcement of standards.

• This can include actions against products or producers that falsely claim AGMARK certification or fail to maintain the required standards.

Products available under AGMARK

Here are some of the products that can carry the AGMARK certification:

1. Cereals like wheat, rice, maize, and barley.

2. Pulses such as lentils, peas, and beans.

3. Vegetable Oils including mustard, soybean, and groundnut oil.

4. Spices and Condiments like pepper, turmeric, and chili powder.

5. Honey and other bee products.

6. Fruits and Vegetables in processed forms.

7. Dry Fruits such as almonds and cashews.

8. Flour including wheat flour and besan (gram flour).