TYPES OF GRADING:
Grading may be done on the basis of fixed standards or variable standards. It is of three types:
1. Fixed or mandatory grading:
Under this the goods are sorted out according to the size, quality and other characteristics which are of fixed standards. These do not vary over time and space. It is mandatory for a person to follow these grade standards if he intends to sell graded products.
The Agriculture Marketing Advisor Government of India has fixed grade standards for a number of agricultural commodities and it is compulsory to grade the produce according to these grade specifications. The use of mandatory standards is compulsory for export of the agricultural commodities to various countries.
For many of the agricultural produce, certain grades and standards are fixed by Agricultural Marketing Advisor, Government of India. This is done for having and maintaining high standard and clarity of quality in case of exports of agro-produce. Farmers are not free to use their own standards and classifications in case of exports. The Government of India has made standards based on size, quality and other characteristics which are fixed standards hence mandatory for exporters.
2. Permissive or variable grading:
Under this the goods are graded according to the standards which vary over a period of time. The grading specifications are fixed in over time and space in this case but changed every year according to the quality of the produce in that particular year. In India grading by this method is not permissible.
3. Centralized/decentralized grading:
Under the centralized grading system an authorized packer either sets up for his own laboratory manned by qualified chemists or seeks access to an approved grading laboratory set up for the purpose by state authorities or co-operative association or private agencies. Grading in respect of commodities such as ghee, butter and vegetable oil where elaborate testing facilities are required for checking the purity as assessing the quality has been placed under the centralized system.
The directorate of Marketing and Inspection exercise close supervision on grading work of the approved chemist by way of periodical inspection of grading stations and the quality of graded produce. Under this system, the state marketing authorities under the overall supervision and guidance of the directorate of marketing and inspection implement the decentralized grading system. This system is followed in those commodities which do not have elaborate testing arrangements for assessing the quality.
Eg. Vegetables, fruits, eggs, pulses and cereals, the grades for these produce are determined on the basis of physical characteristics. Both these grading programmes are consumer oriented. In addition to these programmes, the state marketing authorities also implement a grading level. Free grading services are provided to farmers for sorting the produce.
4. Grading at producers level:
Under this programme, free grading services are provided too the farmers for sorting the produce before offering for sale. This enables them to realize prices commensurate with the quality of produce. Several regulated markets and warehouses are manned with grading personnel with the central assistance.
Farmers on their own also do grading, which is actually categorizing as per their own thinking. They do not have an idea of standards and grades as per DMI. Farmers do only from the point of view of getting fair rates to their produce. Marketing agents also develop some expertise in gradation of agricultural produce and their opinion is given importance in price fixing and negotiations.
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