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María Ignacia Fernández Assumes Role as New Minister of Agriculture
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President Gabriel Boric carried out a new cabinet adjustment this Thursday, accepting the resignation of the Minister of Agriculture, Esteban Valenzuela (FRVS), and appointing María Ignacia Fernández Gatica, until now the Undersecretary of the same portfolio, in his place.
Valenzuela's departure occurs amid political tensions after the Green Social Regionalist Federation (FRVS), together with Humanist Action, promoted a parallel list for the upcoming parliamentary elections, which caused annoyance in the President.
Background and Profile of the New Minister
Fernández, born in Santiago in 1973, is a sociologist from the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, holds a master's degree in Political Science from the University of Chile, and a doctorate in Sociology from the University of Barcelona. Her career combines academia, public management, and applied research in territorial development.
In her professional career, she has worked at institutions such as CIEPLAN, SUBDERE—where she participated in the establishment of the Los Ríos and Arica and Parinacota regions—and at the Latin American Center for Rural Development (RIMISP), where she was a principal researcher and later executive director. She has also taught at universities such as Los Lagos, Diego Portales, and the University of Chile.
During the second administration of Michelle Bachelet, she was part of the Presidential Advisory Commission for Decentralization and Regional Development and advised the Budget Directorate. Additionally, she has been a consultant for international organizations such as the World Bank, the IDB, and the FAO.
Challenges in the Ministry
Fernández's arrival to the cabinet comes at a key moment for the agricultural agenda, marked by the effects of climate change, food security, the push for productive innovation, and tensions in the Southern Macrozona, where attacks affecting the forestry and agricultural sectors persist.
Her appointment is interpreted as a sign of continuity in the portfolio, given that she had been serving as undersecretary since March 2023, but also as a political gesture from the Executive in the face of the need to organize relations with the ruling parties.
With this change, the government seeks to strengthen management in Agriculture with a minister of technical background and extensive experience in public policies, rural development, and decentralization.
