Bhagwati Devi comes from a humble background and was unable to pursue formal education due to poor financial conditions. Yet her desire to learn and intense love for agriculture persisted throughout her life. Her family owns farmland on which they grow different crops. They grow khejri, babool, Israeli acacia, ber, aldu, shisham, and eucalyptus (safeda) trees. At the end of each harvest period, residual twigs and branches from the trees were typically collected and used to surround the border of the fields.
Bhagwati observed over the years that termites—a pest known to infest standing crops and resulting in 10 to 50 percent or higher losses—were becoming a serious threat. These pests would infest fields during any season, whether dry, wet, hot, or cold. The farmers in the area generally employed traditional materials such as cow dung and maize cobs for attracting and trapping termites. These methods were partially effective. Despite all these practices, the damage of termite to crops like wheat can still be clearly seen.
Observations That Sparked an Idea
Bhagwati Devi started observing something unusual while doing household chores. When she was bringing firewood inside, eucalyptus wood attracted significantly more termites than other types of wood. She was led to a question—what if she used small chunks of eucalyptus wood to divert termites away from her crops?
She chose to put her theory to the test in pearl millet (bajra) crop. She placed small chunks of eucalyptus wood, 2 to 3 feet long and 2 to 3 inches thick, between rows of crops in the field. To her surprise, she discovered that thousands of termites gathered around the wood and ate it, leaving the rest of the crop untouched. Even the nearest plants, only four inches from the infested wood, were untouched. This was the first proof that her idea could be implemented in actual field conditions.
From Pearl Millet to Wheat– A Scalable Solution
Encouraged by the success in the millet crop, Bhagwati chose to carry out this experiment in the wheat crop. The wheat was planted late, on December 30, 2004, after harvesting a chilli crop. As is common knowledge among farmers, late-sown wheat is more likely to be attacked by termites due to increasing temperatures in April when the crop is harvested. She irrigated wheat using sprinklers equipped with nozzles positioned at a 12x12 meter grid with 32 sprinklers per acre. She used a single eucalyptus piece in each area occupied by the sprinkler nozzle.
This budget-friendly method was surprisingly effective. The cost of every piece of wood ranged from Rs. 6 to Rs. 10, and 32 pieces were sufficient for an acre at a maximum cost of Rs. 320. As the wood pieces were durable enough to withstand three cycles of crops, the actual cost per crop worked out to around Rs. 100 per acre. Labor for putting them in place was minimal.
During the entire crop season, Bhagwati saw no activity of termites on any part of the wheat crop. However, at every eucalyptus stick, she found thousands of termites, assuring that the insects were entirely diverted from the crop. In fact, the closest wheat plants to the wood tended to be taller and healthier because they were untouched by insects.
Scientific Validation and Widespread Recognition
After confirming the effectiveness of her method, Bhagwati Devi shared her innovation with the Sub-Divisional Agriculture Extension Officer of Sikar. She has also shared this with the senior scientists at the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) in Fatehpur Shekhawati. On analysis of her technique, the scientists were impressed and declared it a highly effective, cost-effective, as well as straightforward method for controlling termites without chemicals.
Her technique was tested in the subsequent four years on a variety of crops such as wheat, barley, gram, cluster bean (guar), chilli, and cauliflower. It continued to yield consistent and favorable results. A highly significant trial was carried out by the Agricultural Research Station of Rajasthan Agricultural University, Bikaner, on barley.
This barley crop is known for its extreme vulnerability to termite attack. The experiment included seed treatment with neem oil followed by eucalyptus wood usage. The results were excellent, and on the basis of these observations, the Government of Rajasthan officially added the practice to its recommended "Package of Practices" for farmers.
Beyond Farming – Building a Movement
Although she did not receive formal education, Bhagwati Devi now educates other farmers—particularly women—to minimize or even eliminate the application of chemical pesticides. She describes how the overuse of pesticides turns the soil toxic and impacts the health of crops in the long run. For instance, she says that general pest attacks may need only 1 litres of pesticide per hectare per year. To control termites, 10 litres of pesticides may be needed which will permanently destroy soil health. Her process of employing eucalyptus wood is both affordable and environmentally safe.
Bhagwati Devi has established a group known as "Swabhiman," whose mission is to inspire and educate men and women farmers alike on organic and sustainable agricultural practices. Her commitment has turned her into a shining example of rural agricultural innovation.
National Awards and Recognition
For her groundbreaking work in sustainable agriculture, she was honoured in 2011 by the then Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar with the honor of ‘Kheton ki Vaigyanik.’ She was also awarded by the Rajasthan University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences in Bikaner, and Maulana Azad University in Jodhpur. In 2013, she received the prestigious ‘Krishi Prerna Samman’ under the Mahindra Samriddhi India Agri Awards, which came with a cash award of Rs. 50,000.
Her work has been featured on national and regional television networks, and printed in a number of national and international magazines. Videos, CDs, and photographic documentation of her technique have also been distributed widely.
A Life of Pride and Purpose
Bhagwati Devi is a proud mother of two sons and five daughters, all of whom are married. She reflects on her life with pride, not regret. She states that she never had formal education, but her husband's support and her own curiosity became her best teachers. Her approach has now become a symbol of how indigenous knowledge, when used thoughtfully, can address some of the most challenging agricultural issues. She is glad that she has been able to apply her technique not only to cereals, but also to pulses, oilseeds, and vegetables.
Bhagwati Devi's journey shows that innovation may originate from living experience, keen observation, and a strong love for the land. She has proved that it doesn't always require labs or degrees for innovation. Her straightforward yet effective method of employing eucalyptus wood has paved the way for environmentally friendly and sustainable farming.
Her work gives optimism in a time when concerns about the use of chemicals in agriculture are growing, particularly for smallholder farmers who frequently do not have access to costly inputs. Her story is not only about farming; it is also about resilience, insight, and the unsung strength of rural women who continue to shape India’s agricultural future.
