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Which crops benefit from irrigation in the Ganges River valley?

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Physical map showing the Brahmaputra and Ganges river basins and their drainage networks across northern India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet (China), and Myanmar. The map uses color shading to indicate elevation, from the high Himalayas in brown and white to lowland plains in green, and marks major rivers, tributaries, glaciers, dams, irrigated areas, and regions subject to flooding. An inset locator map highlights the region within South Asia. — Ganges River The Brahmaputra and Ganges river basins and their drainage network.

In the Ganges River valley, the use of irrigation canals has significantly increased the production of various cash crops. Specifically, the cultivated areas in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar benefit from irrigation systems that support the growth of sugarcane, cotton, and oilseeds.1

Additionally, while rice is the dominant crop in the region and is often grown in areas with sufficient rainfall, it is also cultivated in some irrigated areas. Historically, irrigation has been essential to the region's agricultural productivity, enabling farmers to harvest multiple crops annually. Other crops grown in the broader Ganges region, which may rely on various water management practices, include wheat, corn (maize), barley, pulses, and various fruits and vegetables.234