(a) whether the Government has any mechanism to certify the agro products made by different companies in the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof, State-wise including Bihar;
(c) whether any nodal officer has been appointed for the same and if so, the details thereof; and
(d) if not, the reasons therefor?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
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(a) & (b): Yes, Madam. The agro products made by different companies in the country are certified under Agricultural Produce (Grading & Marking) Act 1937 (AP (G&M) Act), popularly known as AGMARK.
AGMARK is a certification mark for agricultural produce, assuring that they conform to a grade standard notified by Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare.
DMI an attached office of Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare is implementing Agmark Certification under AP(GM) Act 1937 through its 11 Regional Offices, 27 Sub Offices, 11 Regional Agmark Laboratories (RALs) and 1 Central Agmark Laboratory (CAL). Additionally there are 98 State Agmark Grading laboratories, 68 private commercial laboratories for domestic trade and 23 private commercial laboratories for exports.
Till date, grade standards for 222 agricultural commodities have been notified. Group-wise list of the commodities, for which AGMARK grade standards have been formulated under the Agricultural Produce (Grading and Marking) Act, 1937, are at Annexure-I.
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The companies which meet the compliance to the requirements of General and Specific Grading & Marking Rules under AP (GM) Act are issued Certificate of Authorization (CA) for manufacturing/ packaging of agro products. The number of such Certificate of Authorization issued by Directorate of Marketing and Inspection (DMI), state wise are at Annexure-II.
Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) also gives certification mark license for following agro products:
Tapioca Sago (Sabudana); Wheat Atta; Edible Tapioca Starch; Malt Extract; Soluble Coffee Chicory Powder; Edible Groundnut Flour; Roasted Groundnut (Peanut) Kernels.
The state wise BIS certification mark license issued is at Annexure-III
(c): Yes, Madam. Though there are no nodal officers appointed, however, authorized officers of DMI at 11 Regional and 27 Sub Offices, are implementing Agmark Certification.
The BIS Certification mark scheme is implemented through its branch offices throughout India.
(d): In view of (c) above, the Question does not arise.