It provides scientific advice and support on a range of agricultural and environmental topics to the Scottish Government.

Following the introduction of the Testing of Seeds Order 1917, the unit moved to larger premises nearby at 7 Albany Street in 1918.

In 2000, SASA began developing plans to relocate from East Craigs due to the age of the facilities and the demands put upon them by new technologies, a suitable site was eventually identified on the Agency's own Gogarbank Farm.

In April 2008, the agency became a division within the Agriculture Food and Rural Communities Directorate of the Scottish Government.

It was known as Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture until March 2019, when it was decided that the name should be changed to the commonly used acronym SASA.