Prospective consumers have to contact the NGO CRIES about their interest to take part in
ASAT and sign the contracts in winter on a first-come-first-serve basis. There is a maximum
number of consumers proposed by each farmer taking into account the land and labour available.
The next step is the financial contribution the consumers make to the partnership in form of an up-front payment. The quantum of the annual sum for the entire season for a consumerpartner is calculated to support the costs that the farmer will have at the onset of the season, as
well as ASAT-related costs like transport and packaging. Also a fair salary for the farmer and
other members of his or her family who assist him or her are included36, as well as health
insurance contributions to the state budget (to ensure that the farmer benefits from free
national health care). Table 23 presents the calculation of cost for Farmer 2.