Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade said Friday he "deeply regrets" two deaths after clashes broke out over a disputed biofuels project in northern Senegal, and wants an explanation.

A cabinet statement said Wade had asked the ministers of agriculture, environment and decentralisation for "a detailed note on this situation."

Two people were killed and 22 injured in the village of Fanaye, where people attacked each other with sticks and machetes in a dispute over the project which will see 20,000 hectares given to an Italian investor to cultivate sweet potatoes for the production of biofuels.

A local organisation defending land rights in the village said the project would lead to "displacement of villages, destruction of cattle and desecration of cemeteries and mosques."

Senegal has in recent years pushed the idea of using its land for biofuel production, with the backing of Brazil and Wade's fervent support.

A march against the project is planned Friday in the capital Dakar.