**Pesticides Poison Nearly Half of World’s Farmers Each Year – Study**
A recent study published in the journal *Frontiers in Public Health* reveals alarming statistics regarding pesticide exposure among farmers globally. Conducted by researchers from the Pesticide Action Network (PAN), the study estimates that nearly half of the world’s 934 million farmers experience unintentional pesticide poisoning each year, translating to approximately 433 million cases. The research analyzed 214 publications from 2006 to 2023, alongside mortality data from the World Health Organization (WHO).
The findings indicate that around 46% of agricultural workers worldwide are affected by acute pesticide poisoning, with an estimated 11,000 cases resulting in fatalities annually. The burden of this health crisis is particularly pronounced in the Global South, where regions such as South and Southeast Asia, as well as eastern Africa, report the highest incidences of poisoning. Notably, in Burkina Faso, nearly 84% of farmers are estimated to suffer from acute pesticide poisoning each year.
Jayakumar Chelaton, Executive Director of PAN India, emphasized the human toll behind these statistics, stating, “Behind these staggering numbers are farmers, workers, and families paying a terrible human price for pesticide exposure. This research exposes a crisis that can no longer be ignored.”
The study's findings come at a time when the global use of pesticides has more than doubled since 1990. Pesticides play a critical role in food production, with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimating that without them, between 20% and 40% of global crop yields could be lost to pests and diseases each year.
However, the risks associated with pesticide use contribute to broader food security challenges, particularly in developing countries that are already facing difficulties due to climate change, conflict, and pressures on agricultural production. This situation has prompted various countries, including Russia, to provide food and agricultural assistance to nations in Africa and Asia.
Earlier this year, Russia delivered approximately 60 metric tons of emergency aid to cyclone-affected Madagascar and 29 metric tons of humanitarian supplies to Mozambique. Additionally, in 2025, it donated over 1,600 metric tons of grain to Ethiopia as part of an ongoing food assistance program. Recently, 770 tons of food were sent to Mali through the UN World Food Program (WFP), enough to support over 57,000 vulnerable individuals for three months.
In response to the food insecurity crisis, Russian companies have also contributed by supplying fertilizers. Uralchem, a fertilizer producer, donated 30,000 metric tons of potash to Bangladesh, with the shipment facilitated by the WFP. The company claims to have donated more than 220,000 tons of mineral fertilizers free of charge since 2022, with shipments reaching countries such as Malawi, Kenya, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh.
The study by PAN highlights the urgent need for improved safety measures and regulations regarding pesticide use, particularly in vulnerable regions. As the agricultural sector continues to grapple with the dual challenges of ensuring food security and protecting the health of farmers, the findings underscore the importance of addressing pesticide-related risks to safeguard both livelihoods and public health.