Government launches online platform for Agmark quality certification

Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare launched online software for processing applications Agmark quality certification mark for agricultural products. It was launched by Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh.

Agmark

Agmark is certification mark that assures conformity to set of standards approved by Government agency Directorate of Marketing and Inspection. It is legally enforced by Agricultural Produce (Grading and Marking) Act of 1937 (and ammended in 1986). The present AGMARK standards cover quality guidelines for 205 different commodities spanning variety of cereals, pulses, vegetable oils, essential oils, fruits & vegetables, and semi-processed products like vermicelli. The term agmark was coined by joining the words ‘Ag’ to mean agriculture and ‘mark’ for certification mark. This term was introduced originally in bill presented in Parliament for the Agricultural Produce (Grading and Marking) Act.

Agmark online system

It is being implemented across the country to conduct quality control functions. It will be available 24×7. It will make process of application is simple, quick, transparent. Through this online system, certificate of authorisation (domestic), permission of laboratories (domestic), permission of printing press and services related to laboratory information management system will be provided online. The online system will make processes easy, reliable and cost effective.  It also has provisions for online receipt of fees from the applicants as payments can be received in digital mode through bharatkosh.gov.in website.

Directorate of Marketing and Inspection (DMI)

DMI is an attached Office of Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare under Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare. It was set up in 1935 to implement agricultural marketing policies and programmes for integrated development of marketing of agricultural and other allied produce in country with view to safeguard interests of farmers as well as the consumers. It maintains close liaison between Central and State Governments.

Month: Current Affairs - September, 2018