Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Lawrence MacAulay announced Thursday the Government of Canada has invested $35.3 million for infrastructure improvements at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's (AAFC) Swift Current Research and Development Centre.

The centre is being renovated and new laboratories are being built, which are used extensively to support AAFC's wheat breeding program and other research on forages and cereals. Science and innovation play an important role in making Canada one of the world's top producers and exporters of agricultural products.

"The Government of Canada recognizes the importance of research and innovation to agriculture and to our economy," said MacAulay. "Improvements to these facilities will help deliver new technologies to producers, which creates jobs, grows the middle class and supports Canadian farmers."

Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall noted the importance of this investment for AAFC's continued success. "We welcome this investment from the federal government," he said. "Our government has made research a priority as part of our innovation agenda, and such investments in our agriculture research sector will help Saskatchewan and Canada continue not only to feed the world, but continue to be a world leader in agriculture research."

Click here to learn more about AAFC Swift Current Research and Development Centre.