Almost half of world’s farmers poisoned by pesticides every year, experts find
Study reveals that pesticide poisoning kills 11,000 people each year, with India accounting for nearly 60% of fatalities Almost half of the world’s farmers are poisoned by pesticides every single year, a study has found. Using publicly available data from 2006-2023, the study, which was commissioned by Pesticide Action Network , found there to be an estimated 402-433m cases of unintentional acute…
A recent study has revealed that pesticide poisoning poses a significant threat to the world's farmers, with an estimated 46% of the global farming population being poisoned annually. Conducted by the Pesticide Action Network, the research analyzed publicly available data from 2006-2023 and found that approximately 402-433 million cases of unintentional acute pesticide poisoning occurred among farmers and farm workers during this period.
India bore the brunt of these incidents, accounting for nearly 60% of the fatalities, with 11,000 deaths reported every year. The highest national incidence of poisoning was reported in Burkina Faso, where a staggering 84% of farmers and farm workers experienced poisoning. Despite global efforts to emphasize the dangers of pesticides, their use has steadily increased, with 3.8 million tonnes used in 2023, double the amount in 1990.
The study calls for "immediate action," including the implementation of a UN recommendation to phase out highly hazardous pesticides. Experts warn that the study only considered acute pesticide poisoning and did not account for the long-term health impacts or the estimated 84 million children working in agriculture. The research also highlights the potential link between pesticide exposure and Parkinson's disease, a progressive disorder affecting movement and balance.
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