The extra long staple cotton named Sudan Barakat is planted in the irrigated fields of this region.[1] Sudan Barakat, which is entirely handpicked, is considered to be one of the world's highest quality cottons.[2] A 6,000 feddan pump irrigation scheme was started at Barakat in 1914.[3] The plan was launched by a group of English weaving companies called the Sudan Plantation Syndicate, which had already started a successful pump scheme at Taiba (Ţayyibat Ḩamad an Nīl) in 1910.[4] The town is home to the headquarters of the Sudan Gezira Board, which runs the Gezira-Managil Irrigation System.[5] A light railway runs through Barakat, used for carrying the cotton harvest.[6]