Nayagarh, Nov 5: Efforts to secure a Geographical Indication (GI) tag for the famous Nayagarh green gram, known locally as muga dali, are facing significant hurdles as the region’s key research centers remain abandoned. The pulses and sugarcane research facilities, crucial for maintaining the quality of the green gram, have been non-operational for nearly three years. These centers, once centers of agricultural innovation, are now marked only by empty signboards.

The pulses research center, established in 1965 on 36 acres of land in Nayagarh, was originally set up with support from the Indian Institute of Pulses Research (IIPR) in Kanpur. Over the years, it played a vital role in developing high-yielding green gram varieties that were beneficial to farmers nationwide. However, due to a lack of dedicated researchers and unfilled key positions, the center has fallen into disrepair.

As a result, IIPR has stopped sending chickpea seeds for trials to the Nayagarh center, redirecting its research activities to a newer facility in Khurda, which was set up five years ago. The closure of the Nayagarh center has raised concerns among local farmers and authorities, as the research center is critical not only for advancing agricultural practices but also for validating the distinctive qualities of Nayagarh’s green gram in the GI tagging process.

Without the proper infrastructure and research backing, securing the GI tag for Nayagarh’s green gram has become increasingly challenging. The GI tag would protect the authenticity and quality of the green gram, ensuring it gains recognition for its unique characteristics. Local leaders and farmers are calling for immediate action to revitalize the research centers, urging the authorities to appoint the necessary experts to restore the center’s operations and help secure the future of Nayagarh’s green gram as a distinct agricultural product.