Overview
AGMARK is the quality certification mark for agricultural produce in India. It is the grade designation mark under the Agricultural Produce (Grading and Marking) Act, 1937 and the General Grading and Marking Rules, 1988. The scheme is run by the Directorate of Marketing and Inspection (DMI) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
Only a packer holding a Certificate of Authorisation (CA) can apply the mark, and only to the commodities and premises named in the CA. Each lot must be tested against the notified grade standard before it is marked. Applications are made on AGMARK Online. For background, read our AGMARK guide.
Who needs it
- Packers and brands of spices, ghee, honey, edible oils, pulses, flours, rice, millets and other graded commodities.
- Exporters of produce that importing countries or buyers want AGMARK-graded, including onions, grapes and pomegranates under DMI export instructions.
- Suppliers to institutional buyers whose tenders ask for AGMARK-graded goods.
Commodities covered
DMI’s grades and standards page lists grade standards for 248 commodities. Examples:
| Group | Examples |
|---|---|
| Cereals and pulses | Rice, basmati rice, wheat atta, besan, millets, pulses, poha |
| Oils and fats | Vegetable oils, Multi-Source Edible Oils, fat spread |
| Spices | Whole and ground spices, curry powder, compounded asafoetida |
| Dairy and livestock | Ghee, creamery butter, table eggs |
| Other | Honey, jaggery, dried fruit, edible nuts, isabgol husk |
Documents required
DMI’s domestic CA checklist includes:
- Application in Proforma A with particulars in A-1, constitution documents and KYC
- Dimensioned sketch of the premises, and the owner’s consent if rented
- Form A-2 declaration and a specimen trade brand label for each commodity
- Workers’ medical fitness certificates and machinery list
- Laboratory equipment list (own lab) or consent letter from an approved laboratory (Form A-3)
- FSSAI licence or registration for food commodities
- Fee payment on Bharatkosh
Export CAs also need APEDA membership, an APEDA-recognised pack house and an Import Export Code.
Process
- Grade check. We confirm your product, pack sizes and packing meet the commodity’s grade rules.
- Laboratory. We help you set up your own lab or arrange an approved lab, and plan chemist training and approval.
- Application. We prepare and file the CA application on AGMARK Online.
- Inspection. DMI inspects the premises and laboratory; we help you get ready.
- Grant. The CA names your commodities, premises, laboratory, brand label and validity.
- Labels and replica. We handle AGMARK labels, replica permission and printing press approval.
Validity and renewal
A CA is valid for five years. Renewal must be applied for at least 30 days before expiry and is not accepted more than 30 days after it. Grading charges are payable on the quantity graded, at the rates in DMI’s grading charges schedule.
Note: Chemist training, printing permission and lab approval have separate fees. We confirm current amounts with DMI before you apply.
How Aaditech helps
Aaditech was promoted in 2010 by former Directors of the Bureau of Indian Standards. We handle the AGMARK paperwork alongside your other food approvals, so the CA, the FSSAI licence and LMPC registration fit together:
- Grade standard and lab route chosen for your commodities.
- CA filing on AGMARK Online, with follow-up until grant.
- Inspection readiness for premises, laboratory and records.
- Label, replica and printing press permissions.
- Renewal tracking so your CA does not lapse.
Contact us with your commodity list to get started.
