Lucknow/UNI: Referring to the decision to confer Bharat Ratna to former Prime Minister Chaudhary Charan Singh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that the honour of Chaudhary Saheb, the son of the soil of Uttar Pradesh, is the honour of crores of hardworking farmers in the country.

Addressing the three-day ground breaking ceremony in Lucknow, the PM said that earlier there used to be discrimination in conferring state honours and only one family considered it their right on state honours, whereas the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government has changed this practice.

While praising the contribution of Chaudhary Charan Singh for small farmers, he said, "With the inspiration of Chaudhary Saheb, we are empowering the farmers of the country."

Reiterating the government's commitment to support farmers in exploring new avenues in agriculture, Modi said, "We are supporting and encouraging farmers to take the country's agriculture sector on a new path."

Citing the emergence of large-scale natural farming along the banks of the Ganga in UP, he stressed on natural farming and focused on coarse grains. "This not only benefits the farmers but also helps in maintaining the purity of our sacred rivers," he said.

Addressing entrepreneurs in the food processing sector, the PM urged them to prioritise the mantra of 'zero impact, zero defect' in their endeavours.

He stressed the importance of working towards a common goal of putting Indian food products on dinner tables across the world, highlighting the success stories of products like Siddharth Nagar's Kala Namak Rice and Chandauli's Black Rice, which are being exported in significant quantities.

On the growing trend of millets as a superfood, he stressed the need for investment in the sector.

"This is the right time to invest in superfoods like millets."

The PM encouraged entrepreneurs to form partnerships with farmers and underlined the government's efforts in empowering small-scale farmers through Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) and cooperatives, which provide opportunities for mutually beneficial partnerships. "Benefit to farmers and agriculture is good for your business too," he said.

Highlighting the important role of UP in driving India's rural economy and agro-based economy, he called upon the stakeholders to make the most of this opportunity. He expressed confidence in the capabilities of the people of UP and the efforts of the double engine government in laying the foundation for the progress of the state and the country.

Governor of Uttar Pradesh Anandiben Patel, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and ministers of Uttar Pradesh Government were present.

The event was attended by approximately 5,000 participants, including notable industrialists, representatives of top global and Indian companies, Ambassadors and High Commissioners and other distinguished guests.