I can't speak on this point about AAFC's decision on increasing funding or not funding specific areas, but I can say that this is a very important area of research. We know that healthy soils have healthy and diverse microbial populations. They also assist in nutrient cycling.
In terms of adding nutrients to the soil, whether through inorganic fertilizers or organic materials, we depend a lot on the microbial population, diversity and action. A lot of the nutrients that plants take up come from the soil.
It is an important area, but I can't speak on the specific funding from AAFC at this point.