Almost half of world’s farmers poisoned by pesticides every year, experts find
Summary
A new study finds that almost half of the world’s 934 million farmers and farm workers suffer from pesticide poisoning each year, with an estimated 402 to 433 million cases. The highest poisoning rates are in southern Asia and parts of Africa, leading to about 11,000 deaths annually, mostly in India. The study calls for urgent action to reduce the use of dangerous pesticides and provide safer alternatives to protect farmers' health.Key Facts
- Nearly 46% of the global farming population is poisoned by pesticides annually.
- An estimated 402-433 million farmers and farm workers are exposed to acute pesticide poisoning each year.
- Southern Asia has the highest number of poisoning cases, followed by southeast Asia and east Africa.
- Burkina Faso in West Africa has the highest national poisoning rate, with about 84% of farmers affected.
- Approximately 11,000 deaths from pesticide poisoning occur worldwide every year, with around 60% happening in India.
- Pesticide use worldwide has doubled since 1990, reaching 3.8 million tonnes in 2023.
- The study calls for phasing out highly hazardous pesticides and supporting farmers with safer options.
- The research did not assess long-term health effects or pesticide exposure on the 84 million children working in agriculture.
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