In 2010, the founder of Sweet Agnes Pastries read an article on the demand for cacao beans in the following five years. Since then, the founder has grown cacao plants in her hometown of Libmanan, Camarines Sur, and has established herself as a cacao farmer/grower. Initially, the farm's beans were consumed only by the farm's family and friends. When the produce became sufficient, the founder offere
d to sell it. Unfortunately, the majority of buyers are traders who buy the beans for a low price and then sell them for more than twice as much, which she believes is not in the best interests of cacao growers like her. Agnes decided to collaborate with the Department of Agriculture to seek assistance and support where she might sell her cacao beans for a much greater price, giving her a better profit margin. The Department of Agriculture encouraged her to join the Agri-Preneur Farmers and Producers Association, Inc. (AFPAI), whose members are cacao producers and high-value crops farmers from Libmanan, Cam Sur. She started making tablea after joining AFPAI, and the Sweet Agnes brand was established in 2016. The DTI and the Department of Agriculture have consistently offered assistance and support to guarantee that high-quality products are produced. Some of the items made with the help of the Angat Buhay - Omasenso program include unsweetened/sweetened tablea chocolate, unsweetened turmeric in tea bags, and salabat/ginger brew. Sweet Agnes participated in various trade shows to promote the product locally, with the goal of tapping the national market and becoming renowned as one of Camarines Sur's most famous cacao growers and manufacturers.
