Ruhuna University College was establised in 1978 and was upgraded to University status in 1984, fulfilling a long cherished desire of the people and educationists of Southern Sri Lanka to have a University in the region. The faculty of Agriculture, initially located with Science and Art Faculties at Meddawatte, Matara admitted its first batch of 15 students in 1978. In 1979 the faculty moved to the present location in Mapalana, 16 kilometers north of Matara and 2 kilometers south of Kamurupitiya. The faculty premises of 50 hecteres include sevrral academic and administrative buildings which house lecture theaters, laboratories, the library, student recrational facilities, canteen, auditorium, etc., supporting instructional and research programmes. The faculty farm also located within its premises, intergrating farm activities with teaching, research and out research programmes.

The faculty has seven Departments of study: