A recent report by Pesticide Action Network Asia Pacific (PANAP) found widespread use of pesticides among farmers in Bangladesh, India, Laos, and Vietnam. India had the highest share of highly hazardous pesticides (HHPs). The study surveyed 4,392 farmers, with 87.09% using pesticides. It identified 96 pesticides total; 58% were highly hazardous. In India, 29 out of 41 pesticides used (70.73%) fell into this dangerous category. The report included 1,993 Indian farmers, most from Yavatmal, Maharashtra—a hotspot for pesticide-related deaths. Since 2017, Yavatmal had over 450 poisoning cases and 23 deaths linked to pesticides. Farmers in Yavatmal mainly grow cotton and soybeans and often use both legal and illegal pesticides. Diafenthiuron, tied to past health issues, is still used there. The report detailed, "Exposure to diafenthiuron caused severe health impacts, with many farmers experiencing temporary blindness and unconsciousness lasting several days." Most farmers (3,369) apply pesticides themselves, and many live close to sprayed fields, raising exposure risks. Glyphosate was the most cited pesticide, even banned in Vietnam since 2019. India also frequently used thiamethoxam and the highly hazardous carbofuran. Unsafe spraying practices were common. Over 1,000 farmers re-entered fields within a day after spraying. Spraying without wind guidance increased risks of drift. About 40% of farmers did not use protective gear, especially in India. Many used inadequate items like surgical masks. Gender differences emerged: men mostly sprayed pesticides, while women washed contaminated clothes and equipment, increasing their indirect exposure. Over half of all farmers lacked training on pesticide safety. Improper storage and disposal add to dangers. Some farmers reused pesticide containers for storing food, risking poisoning. Common symptoms after exposure included headaches and dizziness. In poisoning cases, many sought family help rather than doctors. The report highlighted farmers shifting to safer methods. A Vietnamese woman farmer said, "From 2021 onwards, we have not used paraquat or glyphosate. Instead, we use traditional tools for weeding." PANAP Executive Director Sarojeni Rengam stated, "Each stage has contributed to growing global recognition of the urgent need to phase out highly hazardous pesticides." The report calls on governments to ban hazardous pesticides, enforce laws against illegal products, promote agroecological farming, offer clear labels in local languages, provide farmer training, and supply proper protective gear meeting FAO/WHO standards.