The 54th Joint Agricultural Research and Education Committee (AGRESCO) Meeting was held from September 9 to 11, 2026, at Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth (Dr. BSKKV), Dapoli.

Dr. Rajiv Kale, Senior Scientist (Agricultural Extension), and Dr. Yogesh Khade, Senior Scientist (Vegetable Science), ICAR–Directorate of Onion and Garlic Research (ICAR-DOGR), Rajgurunagar, Pune, participated in the meeting and presented important technologies developed by ICAR-DOGR. ,

A major highlight of the meeting was the recommendation of Bhima Harita (All-1587) for release in Maharashtra. Bhima Harita is a promising variety of the underutilized vegetable garlic chives (Allium tuberosum). The variety is characterized by higher green foliage yield, resistance to insect pests and diseases, round-the-year availability and richness in allicin, an important bioactive compound associated with Allium vegetables.