This paper examines the adoption of improved technologies in the cottoncereal based farming syslems of the francophone savanna zones of West and Central Africa, in the context of the large cotton development projects which have long characterized these zones. Overall, the record on technology transfer is very good, with widespread adoption of improved varieties, mineral fertilizers, phytosanitary treatments and animal traction for cotton, and, to some extent for maize, when market outlets have been assured for the latter. These innovations have been facilitated by the particular institutional context of a well-managed, vertically integrated cotton subsector, notably comprising: (1) close research- extension -farmer links, (2) the provision of input credit, and (3) guarateed marketing outlets, via which credit is repaid Cotton also appears to function as a lead crop for the intensification of cereals. The existing challenges are both institutional and technical in nature. First, how, under the current wave of privatization measun maintain the minimum level of services needed for the integrity of the input credit systm ? Second, how to introduce economically viable combinations of organic and inorganic fertilizers into the cropping systems for the maintenance of soil fertility under continuous cultivation ?