Why is rice grown mainly in eastern Madhya Pradesh?

Rice is grown primarily in the eastern part of Madhya Pradesh because that region receives significantly higher levels of rainfall compared to the rest of the state.1

While the state’s average annual precipitation is approximately 44 inches (1,100 mm), rainfall patterns vary geographically. Precipitation levels decrease as one moves westward and northward across the state; eastern regions receive 60 inches (1,500 mm) or more of rain annually, whereas western areas may receive as little as 32 inches (800 mm). Because agriculture in Madhya Pradesh remains heavily dependent on rainfall due to limited irrigation, this higher moisture availability in the east makes it the most suitable area for rice cultivation, while wheat and sorghum are more prevalent in the drier central and western regions.21