Tamale, April 18, GNA - The Savelugu/Nanton District Cotton Farmers' Association has appealed to tractor owners and cotton companies to consider the plight of farmers before fixing this year's tractor ploughing cost.

The appeal was contained in a statement issued by the association at Savelugu and signed by Mr Nashiru Adam, the acting District Secretary, at the end of its one-day conference to elect new executive members. The statement said Mr Inusa Mahaman, chairman of the 11-member executive, appealed to the Ghana Cotton Company to expedite the payment of the 2004/2005 farmers' bonus.

He urged management of the company to monitor the group system in the district in view of allegations of cheating of some farmers' groups by the company's field officers.

Chief of Bunglung, Lana Alhassan, advised cotton farmers to unite and work hard to be able to repay their loans and appealed to the government to implement the Presidential Special Initiative on cotton in the district.