High Court Decision Clarifies Garlic’s Classification: Spice or Vegetable?

In an intriguing legal battle spanning several years, the High Court of Madhya Pradesh has recently issued a ruling that addresses the classification of garlic—whether it is a vegetable or a spice. This decision directly impacts how garlic can be sold in the markets across the state, providing much-needed clarity and flexibility to local farmers.

Garlic, a staple in enhancing the flavor of various dishes, has been at the center of a legal tussle involving the Mandi Board, the Potato Onion Commission Association, and the High Court itself. Previously, under the Agricultural Produce Market Committee Act of 1972, garlic was classified as a spice, which restricted its sale to specific markets, thus complicating the sales process for farmers.

The matter escalated when in 2007, a garlic trader from Mandsaur appealed to the Mandi Board to have garlic sold in agricultural produce markets rather than just vegetable markets. This plea was countered by the Potato Onion Commission Association, which advocated for the continuation of the traditional open auction system in vegetable markets.

The Mandi Board initially made the purchase of garlic optional, which led to further appeals. These appeals questioned why other agricultural products classified as spices couldn’t also be sold in vegetable markets, prompting a directive from the Chief Secretary of Madhya Pradesh that garlic should be sold exclusively in agricultural produce markets.

Dissatisfied, garlic traders from the vegetable markets took the issue to the High Court, which eventually ruled that farmers are free to sell garlic in any market of their choosing. This decision was later upheld by a double bench of the High Court, which acknowledged garlic as an agricultural product and ended the system that limited its sale to vegetable markets.

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In a subsequent review petition by the Potato Onion Commission Association, the High Court reaffirmed its decision, granting farmers the liberty to sell garlic either in agricultural produce markets or vegetable markets, as per their convenience.