SHIVALEELA), H. B.GAUTHAMI, H. S.2017-06-192017-06-192008-06-15Th-9218http://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810021650Organic agriculture is a production system which aids or largely excludes the use of synthetically compounded fertilizers, pesticides, growth regulators and livestock food additives. Organic farming is a traditional method of cultivation practiced since time immemorial in India. Consumers concern over the quality and Safety of conventional foods has intensified in recent years and primarily drives the increasing demand for organically grown food. Organic farming has become important and necessary in the context of agricultural problems of high cost, environmental pollution, the need for improving public health , food quality and food safety. There is a burgeoning niche market for organic products. Bangalore is emerging as a centre for increased demand for organic foods. With this context the present study was undertaken in Bangalore city to study the market status, consumer’s preference and to assess the presence of organochlorine and organophosphate compounds in selected organic foods. It was observed from the study that nearly 25 percent of retail outlets are marketing organic foods with six organized stores which are marketing exclusively organic food products and two conventional outlets selling organic food which indicates that organic foods have made their presence in all the marketing sectors indicating the growth of organic foods. Study indicated that consumers preferably educated with higher income levels are preferring organic foods compared to low income groups. Higher weightage was given to the health benefits of organic foods followed by pesticide or chemical free nature of organic foods. The study indicated the major problems faced by organic food consumers is high price of organic food and insufficient availability , study indicated that nearly 75% of organic food products have price premium of 20% and above. Estimation indicated the presence of organochlorine components in all the samples, but organophosphate components were absent in all the samples.ennullThesis