(Seoul=Yonhap News) Reporter Han Ju-hong = The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced on the 31st that it has selected seven people, including Choi Yi-young, as this year's new knowledge-based farmers. Choi has been evaluated for establishing the export foundation of 'K-strawberry' by developing a differentiated premium strawberry variety and achieving export results worth 30 million dollars (approximately 430 million won) this year. Kim Ji-yong, who made a coffee substitute using domestic azuki beans, and Kim Jun-young, who modernized traditional fermented soybean paste manufacturing technology and developed high added-value fermented soybean paste products by incorporating functional ingredients, were also named this year's new knowledge-based farmers. An official from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs explained, "This year's new knowledge-based farmers have shown new possibilities for agriculture through creative ideas and relentless challenges." The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs plans to award the selected individuals with the Minister's New Knowledge-based Farmer Medal. Since 1999, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs has been selecting farmers who create added value in agriculture and lead innovation in agriculture and rural areas based on new technologies as new knowledge-based farmers. juhong@yna.co.kr