Eugenia Saini is currently FONTAGRO’s Executive Secretary. FONTAGRO is the Regional Fund for Agricultural Technology. She leads the investment fund and a portfolio of 70 international operations related to science, technology, and innovation for the Latin America and the Caribbean region. She is from Argentina and is an agronomist by training. She holds a doctorate in agricultural sciences, specializing in total factor productivity analysis. One of her seminal works in this field was the estimation of 120 years of TFP for the agricultural sector in Argentina. She is also a National Public Accountant and holds an MS in Food and Agribusiness and an MS in Applied Economics, both from Universidad de Buenos Aires. She has worked in the private and public sectors, both nationally and internationally, especially in multilateral banks. She was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship at Cornell University and, more recently, with the Abshire-Inamori Leadership Academy (AILA) Scholarship at the Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS) in Washington, D.C.
SUMMARY: John Deere’s Precision Upgrades strategy supports agricultural productivity by broadening access to technologies that enhance efficiency, productivity, and integration. These upgrades range from foundational tools that improve job quality across mixed fleets, to advanced systems like electric meters, nozzle control, and See & Spray automation. By enabling retrofits for both Deere and non-Deere equipment—including solutions like SurePoint and SmartApply—farmers can transition from input intensification to system-level integration. This approach helps overcome barriers to technology adoption, fosters more sustainable production practices, and contributes to global efforts to revitalize total factor productivity in agriculture.
John Deere’s Precision Upgrades strategy is reshaping agriculture by making advanced technology accessible to more farmers—without requiring the purchase of new machines. By retrofitting high-value precision tools onto existing equipment, farmers can unlock powerful capabilities that improve profitability and sustainability across their operations.
At the foundation of this strategy is the Precision Essentials bundle, which includes the suite of basic Precision Ag tools: G5 Display, SF-7500 Receiver, and Data Modem. These upgrades bring decades-old equipment into the modern era by enabling core precision features like AutoTrac guidance and seamless connectivity to the John Deere Operations Center—one of the most powerful digital platforms in agriculture. With Precision Essentials, farmers gain access to real-time data, remote support, and decision-making tools that help reduce overlap, optimize inputs, and improve job quality—all without investing in a new machine.
Beyond the basics, Deere offers advanced execution tools that retrofit onto farmers’ existing equipment. On planters, retrofittable technologies such as electric seed meters, computer vision-based furrow monitoring, and adjustable downforce systems work together to ensure precise seed placement, leading to improved emergence and higher yield potential. ExactShot, a breakthrough liquid fertilizer system, applies starter fertilizer directly to the seed at planting—cutting usage by more than 60% while maintaining agronomic performance. On sprayers, individual nozzle control systems reduce broadcast spraying by up to 12%, minimizing chemical waste and environmental impact. With See & Spray™ Premium, farmers can achieve chemical savings of 50% or more by targeting weeds with camera-based precision, all while contributing to Deere’s Leap Ambition to reduce customer CO₂e emissions by 15%.
Deere’s retrofit portfolio also includes fully autonomous tillage—an emerging capability that enables farmers to complete field preparation with minimal labor and maximum efficiency. This upgrade exemplifies the transition from input intensification to system integration, allowing growers to do more with less while optimizing fuel use, labor allocation, and operational timing.
Importantly, Deere’s retrofit strategy extends beyond its own platforms. Solutions from brands like SurePoint and Smart Apply—independent companies operated by Deere—enable precision capabilities on mixed fleets. Whether it’s precision liquid control on a non-Deere planter or intelligent orchard spraying on a third-party rig, these upgrades ensure that more farmers can benefit from precision ag regardless of their equipment brand. These technologies are adaptable across diverse cropping systems and geographies, making them relevant for farmers in both developed and emerging markets.
The value proposition is clear: farmers gain access to the latest technology without the capital burden of buying new iron. By retrofitting what they already own, they can improve input efficiency, reduce waste, and enhance productivity—all while preserving cash flow and extending the useful life of their equipment. This approach not only supports profitability but also aligns with sustainability goals by reducing emissions, conserving resources, and minimizing environmental impact.
John Deere’s Precision Upgrades strategy enables farmers to progress through the four paradigms of productivity growth—from input intensification to system integration—by retrofitting proven technologies onto existing equipment. By lowering the barriers to adoption, Deere’s retrofit strategy supports policy goals around climate resilience, rural economic development, and equitable access to agricultural innovation. It’s more than a product line—it’s a philosophy of inclusion, flexibility, and empowerment. By meeting farmers where they are and helping them take the next step forward, Deere is enabling a more profitable and sustainable future for agriculture—one upgrade at a time.
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