The chapter presents the history of two Brazilian gene banks and a description of how they have been contributing to agricultural development and germplasm preservation. The Instituto Agronômico at Campinas (IAC) is a public research institution located in São Paulo State, founded in 1887, which has collected and provided germplasm of several crops to address agronomic challenges since the end of the nineteenth century. Currently, IAC manages around 30 germplasm collections. The Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa) is a federal public institution, founded in 1973. It currently owns the largest Brazilian gene bank, with over 153,000 vegetable accessions distributed among approximately 90 collections. The availability of genetic resources is crucial for overcoming production challenges, and promoting profitable agriculture, as seen with major crops worldwide. Plant genetic materials have been collected from the six Brazilian biomes, preserved in gene banks, and utilized in plant breeding programs. It is worth mentioning that during the nation’s formation process, interactions between native indigenous people and immigrants from Africa, Europe, and Asia contributed to increasing agricultural diversity in Brazil. For example, the introduction of new species like coffee, an exotic crop extensively cultivated in the country. Germplasm exchange between Brazil and other nations is a common and essential practice for conserving and utilizing genetic diversity. This chapter also includes reports on in situ conservation by local communities and perspectives on how to prospect and maintain genetic resources.