Education and agriculture are very important in ending global poverty. This is because most of the problems of the poorest lots start with the lack of information on best production practices, marketing linkages, and even processing in agriculture. While the lack of education complicates issues like well-being and healthy states.
As I see it, your posting is about three kinds of relation:
(1) Sciences and poverty;
(2).Technology and diseases;
(3) Education and agriculture;
Science, when well applied, may have a crucial role in reducing, say, psychical and psychological poverty all over the world. Note that the developed countries are those where generally there is less poverty and more scientific advance. To a great extent, science, when it is not misapplied, is the best friend of mankind.
The advance of technology -- which I see as applied science -- has had a tremendous impact on the elimination of many diseases around the world and has contributed significantly to people's longevity, just to refer to two issues.
Education has lead, among others things, to what might be called a sustainable agriculture. By its very nature, a sustainable agriculture is that one that protects human needs (e.g., food, potable water, pure air, and the like) without comprising nature (not to full land with chemicals, pesticides, and the like)
As I see it only education can save societies and even individuals from possible collapse, be it violent or gradual. Of course, education, technology and science are costly, but they are far lees costly than their alternative, ignorance.
Please, consider these my brief considerations, a short answer to your questions. To elaborate at length on your questions is beyond the scope of my answer. Even so, I hope that they are of some help for you.