Product in Agriculture

• Not uniform like the manufactured goods

• Product variation is beyond control,

uncertain & unpredictable
• Marketing is very difficult due to this

Possible Solution to the Problem:

GRADING & STANDARDIZATION

 Grading & Standardization
Product Issues: (For Agricultural Produce)
Sorting

Grading
Standardization Extra Part
Processing
Packaging
Branding
Labeling
Certification
 Benefits of Grading & Standardization
Differentiating with size, colour, form, weight,
shape and quality – Why?
 Uniformity in one lot, variation lot-wise
 Transparency in offers (increases goodwill)
 Price differentiation with lot type
 Supply matching with types of use/ customer
 Overall Price realization is higher
 Convenience in selling (increases demand)
 Quality assurance for buyer
 Facilitates Futures/ forward selling
 Grading
• is a physical process of classification
• It involves division of products into classes made
up of units possessing similar characteristics
It follows Standardization
• is the process of fixing certain norms for the
products/ its specified grades
• It may be with regard to size, colour, form,
weight, shape and/ or any quality attribute
• The authorized agencies are fixing these norms
• Everyone in trade is accepting these norms
 Grading Process
• Grading on scientific lines is required
• should be based on objective evaluation of quality
aspects
• For linking the price of the produce to the
variations in grade and quality
It should be uniformly done: (on scientific standards)
 At Producer’s level
 For domestic consumption
 For meeting Export demand from overseas
 Standardization
Agencies entrusted with the task of standardization
D/o Food & Civil Fair Average Quality (FAQ) Standards for the Public Distribution for
Supplies Procurement

Provide guidelines for packing and labelling of an article of food.

PFA/ FSSAI PFA Standards prescribe minimum limit for Quality as well as
Safety parameters (Mandatory)

DMI Standards of various agricultural commodities prescribed under the

(AP(G&M)Act,19 provisions of the Act are popularly known as AGMARK Standards.
37) AGMARK Standards comply with minimum standards of quality
and safety prescribed in PFA/FSSAI.

provides for framing standards for processed commodities and for

BIS Act, 1986 processes. The Act is voluntary in nature

Provides a platform to trade in a wide spectrum of commodity

Commodity derivatives (agri and non-agri commodities). Quality specifications
Exchanges are prescribed for each commodity with relaxations to facilitate
trading
 Food laws and Regulations
Objective: To meet a country’s sanitary and
phytosanitary requirements, food must comply with
the local laws and regulations to gain market access.
Each country regulates food differently and has its
own food regulatory framework. These laws ensure
the safety and suitability of food for consumers.

In some countries food laws also govern food quality

and composition. The requirement of food
regulation may be based on several factors such as
whether a country adopts international norms
developed by the Codex Alimentarius Commission of
the FAO of UN. WHO may also have its own advisory
which may be added in a country’s agenda.
 Food laws in our country
The Indian Parliament has passed the Food Safety and
Standards Act, 2006 that overrides all other food related
laws. Such as; Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954
Fruit Products Order,1955
Meat Food Products Order ,1973;
Vegetable Oil Products (Control) Order, 1947
Edible Oils Packaging (Regulation) Order 1988
Solvent Extracted Oil, De- Oiled Meal and Edible Flour
(Control) Order, 1967,
Milk and Milk Products Order, 1992 etc.
All the above acts are repealed after the
commencement of FSS Act, 2006
 Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)
FSSAI was established under Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 which
consolidates various acts & orders that were handled food related issues in various
Ministries and Departments. FSSAI lays down science-based standards for articles
of food and regulates their manufacture, storage, distribution, sale and import to
ensure availability of safe and wholesome food for human consumption
Functions performed by FSSAI:
a. Framing of Regulations, Standards and guidelines in relation to articles of food
b. Specifying appropriate system of enforcing various standards
c. Laying down mechanisms and guidelines for accreditation of certification bodies engaged
d. Laying down procedure and guidelines for accreditation of laboratories and notification of
the accredited laboratories
e. Providing scientific advice and technical support to Central Govt. and State Collect and
collate data regarding food consumption, incidence and prevalence of biological risk,
contaminants in food, residues of various, contaminants in foods products, identification
of emerging risks and introduction of rapid alert system
f. Creating an information network across the country so that the public, consumers,
Panchayats etc receive rapid, reliable and objective information about food safety
g. Provide training programmes for persons involved in food businesses
h. Contribute to the development of international technical standards for food, sanitary and
phyto-sanitary standards
i. Promote general awareness about food safety and food standards
 Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)
The BIS, the National Standards Body of India, resolves to be the leader in all
matters concerning Standardization, Certification and Quality for all
categories of products.
Objective: Harmonious development of standardization, marking and
quality certification To provide new thrust to standardization and quality
control. To evolve a national strategy for according recognition to standards
and integrating them with growth and development of production and
exports

Main Activities:
a. Certification to product hallmarking of Gold Jewellery
b. Quality Management System
c. Environmental Management Systems
d. Occupational Health and Safety Mgt. System
e. Food Safety Management System
f. Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points
g. Imported Products Laboratory Management
h. International Activities
i. Training Services
 AGMARK
The Directorate of Marketing and Inspection enforces the Agricultural
Produce (Grading and Marketing) Act. Under this Act Grade standards are
prescribed for agricultural and allied. AGMARK is a Quality Certification
Mark . It ensures quality and purity of a product. It acts as a Third Party
Guarantee to Quality Certified. Quality standards for agricultural
commodities are framed based on their intrinsic quality. Food safety
factors are being incorporated in the standards to compete in World
Trade
AGMARK Standards are being harmonized with international standards
keeping in view the WTO requirements.
Certification of agricultural commodities is carried out for the benefit of
producer/manufacturer and consumer.
Products available under AGMARK are as follows:- Pulses Whole spices &
ground spices Vegetable oils Wheat Products Milk products. Other
products such as Honey, Compounded asafetida, Rice, Tapioca Sago,
Seedless tamarind, Besan (Gram flour)
For the Details (About Agencies)

Consult
Handout on
Regulating
Agencies