Welcome to the Faculty of Agriculture at Rajarata University of Sri Lanka. The faculty was established in 2001 at Puliyankulama, just a few kilometres from the historic city of Anuradhapura and about ten kilometres from Mihintale where the University’s main administrative complex is located. It has grown from three founding departments to four dynamic academic departments:
Department of Agricultural Engineering and Soil Science
Department of Agricultural Systems
Department of Animal and Food Sciences
Department of Plant Sciences
The Faculty of Agriculture is the leading higher education institution serving the Dry Zone of Sri Lanka, with a mission to produce innovative and dynamic graduates with sound knowledge and requisite skills towards achieving a sustainable development in agriculture, through creating a conducive environment for teaching, learning, research, and dissemination of knowledge. We take pride in our unique setting, where teaching, research, and community engagement are seamlessly integrated within a living agricultural environment.
Our 13-hectare Faculty Teaching and Research Farm provides outstanding facilities for hands-on training in both crop and animal production, serving as a vital resource for research, innovation, and community outreach. In addition, the 2.5-hectare Sustainable Agrofood Production and Value Addition Model Farm showcases modern, eco-friendly agricultural practices and promotes value chain development among local farming communities. Together, these facilities offer students rich practical exposure and help bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world agricultural applications.
The faculty currently offers the Bachelor of Science Honours in Agriculture, a four-year special degree program conducted under a semester-based course unit system, and admits approximately 175 students annually. Our multidisciplinary curriculum integrates crop and animal production, natural sciences, engineering, and socio-economic aspects of agriculture, producing graduates who are competent, adaptable, and industry-ready. Training in communication, IT, and life skills is embedded into the program to prepare students for leadership roles in modern agriculture. Beyond undergraduate education, we are proud to offer a growing portfolio of postgraduate degree programs and certificate courses designed to
meet the national, regional, and global needs of knowledge seekers.
Our faculty members are dedicated educators and researchers engaged in cutting-edge studies on sustainable production, soil and water conservation, climate adaptation, precision agriculture, and food value chains. We also collaborate closely with government agencies, NGOs, and international partners to ensure our programs remain relevant to emerging global challenges.
The Faculty of Agriculture at Rajarata University of Sri Lanka is not just an academic institution—it is a living laboratory for sustainable development. We strive to nurture graduates who are not only knowledgeable but also visionary, responsible, and innovative in addressing the agricultural challenges of tomorrow.
I warmly invite you to join our faculty—as a student, researcher, collaborator, or partner—and contribute to building a more sustainable and food-secured future.
