Ignacia Fernández Gatica

María Ignacia Fernández Gatica (Santiago, July 31, 1973) is a Chilean sociologist, academic and politician. Since August 21, 2025, she has served as Chile's Minister of Agriculture under President Gabriel Boric.

Biography Fernández graduated in Sociology from the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile. She also holds a master's degree in Political Science from the University of Chile and a doctorate in Sociology from the University of Barcelona.

She began her professional career as a research assistant at the Latin American Studies Corporation (CIEPLAN). During Michelle Bachelet’s first term (2006–2010), she served as Head of the Policy and Studies Division at the Undersecretary of Regional and Administrative Development (SUBDERE), within the Ministry of the Interior. In this role, she contributed to the creation of the Los Ríos and Arica y Parinacota regions, helping to develop their first regional development strategies. Three months later, she was named Minister of Agriculture, becoming the third women to hold the position.