Federal Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAuley visited the Prairies this week, touring some Saskatchewan cities.

MacAulay was at the Swift Current Research and Development Centre on Wednesday to announce funding of $35.3 million for infrastructure improvements that will include renovating office space and constructing new labs.

Over the years, scientists at the facility have developed about 50 per cent of the wheat varieties now grown in Canada. MacAulay says their government is very big on research and what it means for farmers.

"If you can reduce the cost for farmers and increase the production of the crop, then you put more money in the farmers' pockets," he says. "If you can create a seed that uses less moisture or a seed that's resistant to certain diseases, then you've done a lot for the economy, you've done a lot for the agriculture sector, and actually you've done a lot to feed the world."

The Swift Current Research and Development Centre is well known worldwide for its wheat and durum breeding programs.

This week MacAulay also visited the Food Farm in Moose Jaw, giving him the chance to talk with a visiting group of elementary students about where their food comes from.