AGMARK

AGMARK

The sale of produce in a primary market takes place on the basis of the visual inspection of the goods, and in the secondary and terminal markets on the inspection of the samples. The buyer and the seller decide upon the terms either orally or through written contracts. The contract terms specify the quality and quantity of the produce, the time and place of delivery, the price and terms of payment, handling and incidental charges, the procedure for settlement of disputes and penalties. The terms of contract were not standardized and thus varied for every individual transaction, and were more favorable to the buyer.

With a view to improving trade practices, All India standard contract terms have been drawn up for a number of commodities. In standard contract terms the definition of quality and allowances in respect of refraction, damaged goods have been specifically standardized. These standard contract terms by traders is voluntary they have to large extent strengthened the position of the producer-seller and have improved the quality of the product marketed.

Standardization and Grading

In order to gain the confidence and establish a rational relationship between the quality of a produce and its price, it is necessary to devote some attention to the proper preparation, sitting and sorting of a material. This is achieved by grading the produce in conformity with certain accepted quality standards via shape, size, form, weight and other physical and technical characteristics. The produce brought to the market is very often contaminated with dust, stones and other foreign matter added either deliberately or by accident. Such a produce brings a lower price to the farmers. Care should be exercised while assembling the produce of different farms so that the good material is not mixed the inferior material brought in by some farmers.

The Government of India had recognized the need to introduce the standardization of agricultural produce. The act empowers the central government to prescribe grade standards indicating the quality of articles included in the schedule and specify grade designation marks to represent particular grades or qualities. The act provides for the grading and marketing of agricultural produce. The grade standards prescribed under this act are based on both physical and chemical characteristics and are formulated after analyzing representative samples of each commodity collected from different regions and different seasons. Besides the international standards and special requirements of overseas consumers are also taken into account while formulating these standards for the commodities which are exported. The grade standards are reviewed and amended from time to time in the light of the shift of the pattern of production and trade and changes in the consumers’ preferences. The grades are designated as the “AGMARK” grades.

 

Grading at Farmer’s Level

The grading of agricultural commodities under “AGMARK” has been consumer oriented. Generally the grading was done at the level of the traders. At this stage the producer was not a direct beneficiary of the grading scheme. It was felt the need to introduce grading at the produces level. Thus the directorate of marketing and inspection introduced a scheme for setting up commercial grading units.

Grading a fruits and vegetable products

With a view to exercising quality control over fruits and vegetables the government promulgated the fruits product order under the essential commodities Act. The preservatives and colors to be used are also clearly laid down.