A recent report titled ‘From the Ground Up: Documenting Pesticide Use in Bangladesh, India, Laos & Vietnam (2025)’ reveals significant pesticide use among farmers in four Asian countries. The study, which surveyed 4,392 farmers, found that India has the highest proportion of highly hazardous pesticides (HHPs).
Across the surveyed nations, 87.09% of farmers reported using pesticides. The report identified 96 different types of pesticides, with 58% of them classified as highly hazardous. India stood out, with 70.73% of the pesticides used in the country falling into this dangerous category.
In India, the survey included 1,993 farmers, with a large group of 1,485 from Yavatmal district in Maharashtra. This region has previously faced attention due to pesticide-related deaths. Official records from 2017 showed over 450 cases of pesticide poisoning and 23 fatalities in Yavatmal, mainly among farmers growing cotton and soybeans.
The report noted that some farmers in Yavatmal continue to use pesticides like ‘diafenthiuron’, which has been linked to earlier poisoning incidents. Farmers have reported severe health issues from exposure, including temporary blindness and unconsciousness.
Across all countries, a large number of farmers, 3,369, reported spraying pesticides themselves. Many also experienced exposure through ground spraying, with 2,619 farmers reporting this. Worryingly, nearly 1,712 respondents live less than a kilometre from sprayed fields, increasing their risk of indirect exposure.
‘Glyphosate’ was the most commonly mentioned pesticide, despite being banned in Vietnam in 2019. In India, ‘thiamethoxam’ and ‘carbofuran’ were frequently reported. ‘Carbofuran’ is classified as highly hazardous by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Unsafe practices were common. Over 1,111 farmers re-entered fields the day after spraying, and 964 returned the same day. Many farmers sprayed pesticides while it was windy, and 1,262 sprayed without guidance, leading to pesticide drift.
Personal protective equipment (PPE) use was also low. About 40% of farmers reported not using any PPE, with the highest rates in India. When PPE was used, simple masks and long-sleeved shirts were common. However, the report pointed out that surgical masks do not offer adequate protection for pesticide spraying.
Women farmers faced specific risks. While men were more likely to spray, women often handled washing clothes and equipment after spraying, leading to indirect exposure.
Crucially, 55% of respondents had not received any training on pesticide handling, storage, or disposal. Many farmers stored pesticides inside their homes and burned empty containers. Washing after exposure sometimes happened in water bodies, which can contaminate water sources.
Common symptoms reported after exposure included headaches and dizziness. When poisoning occurred, most farmers sought help from family members or local doctors.
The report also shared positive stories, with some farmers shifting to safer methods. A farmer from Vietnam shared how her community stopped using harmful chemicals for weed control and switched to traditional tools.
The Pesticide Action Network Asia Pacific (PANAP) is calling on governments to phase out highly hazardous pesticides, enforce rules against illegal products, and promote safe alternatives like agroecology. They also want clear instructions in local languages, better farmer training, and access to proper PPE.