This study focuses on improving water use in canal-irrigated farming areas, helping meet Sustainable Development Goal 6.4 on efficient water use. It was carried out in the Gadarjudda minor command of the Upper Ganga Canal in Uttarakhand,India. A four-year field experiment compared conventional irrigation with micro-irrigation (drip for sugarcane and sprinklers for wheat). Results showed drip irrigation boosted sugarcane yield, saved 40% water, and improved water use efficiency by up to 52%. For wheat, sprinkler irrigation increased yield by 22% and saved 30% water. The water saved allowed more land to be irrigated with the same amount of water—67% more sugarcane and 43% more wheat area. A socio-economic survey revealed that although many farmers are interested in adopting micro-irrigation, high costs and uneven water supply—especially at the tail end of canals—are major barriers. The study suggests that integrating micro-irrigation with government schemes like PMKSY and M-CAD, along with financial support and training, can help promote smarter, fairer, and more sustainable water use in agriculture.