The study examined resource productivity among low external input technology smallholder farmers in
Imo State and their implications for rural development in Nigeria. Cross- sectional data generated from 80 LEIT
smallholder farmers randomly selected from 2 out of the 3 agricultural zones in Imo State were used. Production
function analysis was used in analyzing the data. Results showed that farm size, labour input, capital input, planting
materials and organic manure are the main determinants of the gross income of LEIT farmers. The relative
abundance of a significant proportion of these resources in the rural areas therefore makes their increased use, a
veritable instrument for sustainable rural development. Formation of cooperative societies among farmers whose
lands are contiguous and utilization of extension agents as channels for credit delivery to farmers were also
recommended