Quality Standards Matter: Tackling Adulteration in Agricultural Commodities

Adulteration harms everyone—farmers, traders, retailers, and consumers. It damages the reputation of honest producers and creates uncertainty for buyers.

A sustainable way to address adulteration is to build clear quality standards and a strong value chain involving farmers and FPOs. That means:

• Transparent grading and acceptance criteria
• Traceability and documentation at key handoffs
• Incentives for quality and consistency
• Reliable packaging and storage practices

When quality becomes measurable and repeatable, the market rewards it—making long-term partnerships possible.