<p>Enhancing water use efficiency (WUE) is essential for sustainable agriculture and aligns with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6.4, which promotes efficient water use and sustainable withdrawals to address water scarcity. In canal command areas, abundant water availability often leads to over-irrigation and low WUE. This study evaluates the performance of micro-irrigation (MI) systems compared with conventional flood irrigation in the Upper Ganga Canal (UGC) command area. The assessment included analysis of canal water quality for MI suitability, evaluation of soil properties for system design and irrigation scheduling, and a four-year field experiment conducted under real farmer-managed conditions. The experimental field was divided into two sections: one managed under conventional flood irrigation and the other under MI systems. Results showed that both soil and canal water quality were suitable for micro-irrigation adoption. In sugarcane, drip irrigation increased yield by 3.5%, reduced irrigation water uses by 40%, and improved field water use efficiency by 43%. In wheat, sprinkler irrigation increased yield by 22%, reduced irrigation water uses by 30%, and improved field water use efficiency by 62%. The results indicate that the major benefits of micro-irrigation arise from improved water management and reduced irrigation water application while maintaining or enhancing crop productivity. Overall, the study demonstrates the potential of micro-irrigation to improve water productivity and support efficient water resource management in canal command areas. These findings provide field-based evidence for promoting micro-irrigation as a practical strategy for enhancing irrigation performance under real-world farming conditions.</p>