Village sends 22 tons of fresh bananas to Hubei

A truck fully loaded with 22 tons of bananas set out from Hekou Yao autonomous county in Southwest China's Yunnan province to Central China's Hubei province on Sunday.

When villagers in Potou group of Shibanzhai village in the county learned that there might be a shortage of fresh fruits and other daily supplies in many areas of Central China's Hubei province due to the ongoing novel coronavirus outbreak, they decided to demonstrate their love for their countrymen.

"Planting bananas is the pillar industry that helps lift us from poverty," said Pan Haijin, head of the group. "All 93 families in our group have planted bananas."

The outbreak has roused public concern for those affected, so when Pan called on the villagers to make donations, none of them refused.

Within two days, villagers had picked 22 tons of bananas valued at 132,000 yuan ($18,803).

"I received others' help in the past, so I would like to do something to help those in difficulty now," said villager Pan Jie.