The Role of Social Values and Norms in Food Diversification Policy Governance Network: A Normative Pillar Analysis Study in North Toraja Regency

Abstract

This study examines the role of social values and norms in governance networks within food diversification policy implementation in North Toraja Regency, Indonesia. Using a qualitative descriptive approach, the research analyzes how institutional norms, actor values, and cross-sector normative barriers influence policy effectiveness in promoting dietary diversity and reducing rice dependency. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with government officials, farmers, agricultural entrepreneurs, and community members, supplemented by field observations and document analysis. The findings reveal significant normative conflicts between government institutions promoting modernization and communities preserving traditional food practices, creating substantial implementation challenges. Institutional norms favoring bureaucratic compliance conflict with community values emphasizing cultural preservation and subsistence security, while divergent professional standards between government agencies and local stakeholders impede collaborative governance. The study demonstrates that deeply embedded cultural norms surrounding rice consumption as both sustenance and cultural identity marker override formal policy initiatives, resulting in minimal behavioral change despite regulatory frameworks. Cross-sector dialogue remains limited due to incompatible normative frameworks, where technical policy language fails to resonate with community-based practical concerns. These normative barriers prevent the development of shared understanding necessary for effective governance networks, highlighting the critical importance of cultural sensitivity in policy design. The research contributes to governance network literature by demonstrating how traditional values can resist institutional change, particularly in regions with strong cultural identities. The findings suggest that successful food diversification requires normative alignment strategies that bridge institutional and community value systems through culturally appropriate approaches, emphasizing the need for inclusive governance mechanisms that respect both technical expertise and traditional knowledge systems.