You're just being contrarian, not more realistic. Which is also a very privileged position. I also suspect that you haven't actually visited many poor countries

You're just being contrarian, not more realistic. Which is also a very privileged position. I also suspect that you haven't actually visited many poor countries. Even for extremely poor people, free and easy access to information and communication can have very substantial, practical benefits. A layman's medical encyclopedia that lists smyptoms and treatments for common illnesses may not be an adequate replacement for a trained doctor, but it's a hell of a lot better than nothing. One of the most important factors to enable the "reliable agriculture" you mentioned is access to a good weather forecast. Even one that's only good for the next two days can be a game-changer when it allows you to harvest a crop that might otherwise get spoiled. Another example I've read: access to cell phones massively improved the lives of fishermen in Northern Africa by allowing them to find out in which nearby port the demand for fish is highest. Previously, they'd have to guess and often there would be an oversupply (and thus low prices and fish that goes to waste) in one town, while another twon 20km away had people go hungry because there was too little fish and the prices too high.