AGMARK is a certification mark for agricultural produce, assuring that they conform to a grade standard notified by Directorate of Marketing & Inspection (DMI), Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare under Agricultural Produce (Grading Marking) Act, 1937.These standards differentiate between quality and 2-3 grades are prescribed for each commodity. Till date, grade standards for 222 agricultural commodities have been notified, which include fruits, vegetables, cereals, pulses, oilseeds, vegetable oils, ghee, spices, honey, creamery butter, wheat, atta, besan, etc.

ACTIVITIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS OF BCKV IN AGMARK OF AROMATIC RICE

Inclusion of aromatic rice of West Bengal under AGMARKand new category ‘Non-Basmati Aromatic Rice’

            With the initiative from the Assistant Agricultural Marketing Advisor, Directorate of Marketing and Inspection, Government of India, the RKVY Project on ‘Bengal Aromatic Rice’ prepared one Proposal for inclusion of two aromatic rice of West Bengal (Gobindahog and Tulaipanji) and another proposal for inclusion of four aromatic rice varieties of West Bengal (Radhunipagal, Kalonunia, Kataribhog and Badshabhog) as commercial varieties in ‘Rice Grading and Marketing Rules’ under AGMARK, which duly recommended by the Vice Chancellor of BCKV was submitted to the Head Office, Directorate of Agricultural Marketing and Inspection, Government of India, Faridabad, Hariana during June, 2015 and September, 2016, respectively.

There are much variations in methods of classification of rice varieties as defined by different Departments / Directorates under Government of India for trading of rice in open market and public distribution system in the country as well as export in foreign countries. With a view to promote the small and medium grain non-Basmati type aromatic rice varieties grown in different parts of the country the RKVY Project team on ‘Bengal Aromatic Rice’ submitted aproposal for a new category ‘Non-Basmati Aromatic Rice’ with difference from long-grain Basmati and other common varieties to the Directorate of Agricultural Marketing and Inspection, Government of India, Faridabad, Haryana during August, 2016.

Proposals for AGMARK and related category of aromatic rice varieties of West Bengal

As per communication from the Directorate of Agricultural Marketing and Inspection, Government of India, Faridabad, Haryana, the RKVY Project on ‘Bengal Aromatic Rice’ of BCKV and UBKV sent a total 116 samples of Gobindabhog and 76 samples of Tulaipanji rice collected from different farmers’ organizations of native districts during September, 2015 – January, 2016, and 84 samples of Radhunipagal, 80 samples of Kalonunia, 80 samples of Kataribhog and 17 samples of Badshabhog rice collected from farmers’ groups from native districts during February, 2018 – February, 2021 to the Eastern Region office at Kolkata for testing of grain quality at Central AGMARK Testing Laboratory, Nagpur.

            Based on the quality test reports, a meeting was held on 05.07.2023 for finalization of grade specifications of above-mentioned 5 scented rice varietiesof West Bengal, where both BCKV and UBKV put meaningful contribution for the purpose. As a result, the draft Gazette Notification entitled, ‘Non-Basmati Aromatic Rice Grading and Marking Rules, 2023’ including 5 aromatic rice varieties (Gobindabhog, Tulaipanji, Kataribhog, Kalonunia and Radhunipagal) has been published on 16.10.2023.So, the registration of above-mentioned 5 scented rice varieties for AGMARK will be completed within a short period.