The significant agricultural innovation that occurred in Mesopotamia was the development of irrigation systems, which transformed agricultural practices and played a critical role in the region's ability to support large populations. Mesopotamians constructed intricate networks of canals, dikes, and reservoirs to control the flow of water from rivers, particularly the Tigris and Euphrates. This allowed them to cultivate crops in an otherwise arid environment, promoting surplus production and the growth of cities. The advancement of irrigation techniques not only enhanced agricultural productivity but also laid the foundation for the rise of complex societies and civilizations in ancient Mesopotamia.