Dear Reader, Welcome to the first issue of the year and wish you a Happy 2016! We hope this year is filled with joyful learning, abundant opportunity, and success in all that you choose to do. Coming to The Authentication Times, the current edition focuses on the issue of counterfeit pesticides that are being rampantly used in India. Agriculture industry, which is the backbone of our Indian economy, is facing multiple threats from the growth of these counterfeit pesticides. Though the problem is not a new one and exists since last 35 years, however, the situation has become worse in the last five years. The counterfeit pesticides industry in India is growing at an annual rate of 20 per cent. If not immediately addressed, it can reach up to 40 per cent (approximately) share by value in the pesticides industry by 2019. Our cover story highlights this core issue and details on its various types along with the reasons for the increase in counterfeit pesticides. The story also brings to light the authentication solutions that can be implemented in India to curb this menace to a great extent in the interest of farmers, industry and country. In this issue, you will also find an interesting interview with Pantec GS Systems and Arkansas Tobacco Control, various industry updates, news bytes, counterfeit seizure report and global patents. We thank you for your continual support and look forward to receive your feedback. Sincerely, Chander S Jeena Editor
Dear Reader, Welcome to the first issue of the year and wish you a Happy 2016! We hope this year is filled with joyful learning, abundant opportunity, and success in all that you choose to do. Coming to The Authentication Times, the current edition focuses on the issue of counterfeit pesticides that are being rampantly used in India. Agriculture industry, which is the backbone of our Indian economy, is facing multiple threats from the growth of these counterfeit pesticides. Though the problem is not a new one and exists since last 35 years, however, the situation has become worse in the last five years. The counterfeit pesticides industry in India is growing at an annual rate of 20 per cent. If not immediately addressed, it can reach up to 40 per cent (approximately) share by value in the pesticides industry by 2019. Our cover story highlights this core issue and details on its various types along with the reasons for the increase in counterfeit pesticides. The story also brings to light the authentication solutions that can be implemented in India to curb this menace to a great extent in the interest of farmers, industry and country. In this issue, you will also find an interesting interview with Pantec GS Systems and Arkansas Tobacco Control, various industry updates, news bytes, counterfeit seizure report and global patents. We thank you for your continual support and look forward to receive your feedback. Sincerely, Chander S Jeena Editor