Investing in commercial cassava production will reduce wheat importation by 20 per cent, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, the Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, has said.

Adesina said this during the inspection of the 6,000 hectares approved by Chief Lucky Ararile, the Ovie of Umiaghwa-Abraka for commercial cassava production in Abraka.

The chief was represented by his Technical Adviser, Mrs Toyin Adetunji.

The chief led the minister and his team to the various locations earmarked for the proposed cassava farming and the processing mill in Abraka.

The Ovie also took the team to River Ethiope, the possible irrigation source for the farm.

The minister said the Federal Government's objective was to reduce the current N635 billion spent on wheat importation by at least 20 per cent through cassava production.

He commended Delta State Government and the chief for being proactive in making the required number of hectares available.

NAN