Agro-Chemicals Technology

Bengaluru start-up giving digital signatures to prevent bogus pesticides

digital signatures for pesticides

A Bengaluru start-up is giving digital signatures for pesticides to prevent bogus chemicals.

Acviss Technologies, a Bengaluru-based software start-up, has begun giving digital signatures for pesticides so that buyers do not end up purchasing bogus crop protection chemicals.

According to research conducted by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), at least 30% of pesticides supplied in India are spurious.

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According to a corporate statement, Acviss focuses on counterfeit prevention. Acviss software secures products in production and sales throughout the supply chain. ‘Our digital signatures are included in the packaging so you can track and trace, get real-time updates on fraudulent scans or counterfeit operations, and then take legal action accordingly,’ the company stated.

The Crux of the Problem

According to the 2020-21 Annual Report of the Department of Agriculture, Cooperation, and Farmers’ Welfare, fake pesticides are a problem in agriculture because allied sector activities employ about 55 percent of the total workforce in India and account for 17.8 percent of the country’s Gross Value Added (GVA) for 2019–20 (at current prices).

Government regulations require delivery companies to check permitted labels on pesticide containers and packets, as well as the batch number, registration number, date of manufacture, and expiry date on the labels. ‘While these are the most crucial features to look for, counterfeiters may simply duplicate product packaging that is similar, if not better, than the original product,’ Acviss added.

According to the statement, fake products and fraudulent items may be disastrous in agriculture, especially because thousands of farmers wind up spraying them into their fields, contaminating the soil and endangering the health of countless consumers.

Dependable Solution

Acviss’ digital signature assists end users in verifying and authenticating their goods. ‘Tech-based solutions against counterfeits are the most sought after and one of the most dependable means of authentication,’ according to the business.

The company provides users with proactive, real-time data that enables brands to take the necessary legal measures to combat counterfeits.

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Acviss Technologies, founded in 2016, has protected over 1.25 billion products to date, according to the statement, adding that their solution has benefited over 8 lakh farmers.

It collaborates closely with many government agencies to develop better policies to protect its products. It is currently affiliated with the Coffee Board and MSTC, a branch of the Ministry of Steel.

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